SALEM, Ore. — Twelve leading Oregon agriculture groups have petitioned the Oregon Attorney General’s office to clarify the sweeping devastating effects (IP) 13 would have on all Oregonians. The measure would criminalize good animal husbandry practices, hunting and fishing, animal breeding of both pets and livestock, and even home rodent
control. It also would create a new felony category for teachers, advisors, or parents who show children how to
care for animals. “Everyone from horse trainers to pet groomers to dairy farmers to anyone who kills a rat in their
own home would become criminals under this measure,” said Oregon Farm Bureau Public Policy Vice President
Mary Anne Cooper. “Even farmers protecting their fields and crops from rodents would be made criminals. I have
never seen an initiative that would have such an immediate and devastating impact on more Oregon families than
IP13.”
Oregon Dairy Farmers Association executive director Tami Kerr said, “Animal abuse is already criminally illegal in
Oregon. This initiative isn’t about protecting animals, it’s about criminalizing family farming activities.
Preventative herd health practices shouldn’t be criminalized. Breeding practices that are safer for animals
shouldn’t be criminalized.”” Oregon Cattlemen’s Association executive director Tammy Dennee added, “This
measure makes it impossible to protect your pets or calves or sheep from aggressive predators legally. It
undermines food safety by outlawing rodent control in our food supply chain, literally all the way from ranch or
farm to your table. IP 13 also cripples the local food system and would force Oregonians to rely on out-of-state or
overseas suppliers.”
The proponent of the measure has until July 8, 2022 to gather more than 112,000 valid signatures to get the
measure on the November 2022 ballot. Said Farm Bureau’s Cooper, “The best advice I can offer is don’t sign the
petition. Don’t hurt farm and ranch families. Don’t waste the voters’ time or money on a measure that makes
criminals of Oregonians with pets, horses, or livestock, Oregonians who treasure local food, Oregonians who value
food safety, Oregonians in the animal care community, Oregonians who offer veterinary education, and parents,
teachers, and advisors who teach kids good animal husbandry.”
Oregonians interested in joining the fight against IP 13 can visit www.oregoniansforanimalcare.org.
Under Oregon law, the attorney general is responsible for crafting a ballot title, summary, and “results of yes
vote” and “results of a no vote” language that would appear in the November 2022 voter’s pamphlet. A public
comment period is part of the process of finalizing these official descriptions of the initiative. The coalition’s
comment submission is attached.
Petitioning groups include:
Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, Oregon Dairy Farmers Association, NW Chicken Council, Oregon Sheepgrowers, Association Oregonians for Food and Shelter, Food Northwest Livestock Marketing, Association Fur Commission USA, Oregon Horse Council, West Coast Seafood Processors Assn., Friends of Family Farmers.
— Oregon Cattleman’s Association
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