Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 12/22/10

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association sent a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) opposing the nomination of Judge Benita Pearson to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Colin Woodall said Pearson’s connections to the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), an organization that advocates giving animals the same legal rights as humans, would make it difficult for her to be an impartial judge in cases regarding actions by animal rights activists.

“Judge Pearson’s membership in several animal rights groups; her work with ALDF and her answers to Senate Judiciary Committee members' questions related to animal rights cause great concern for cattle producers across the country who work day in and day out caring for their animals and producing a safe food supply,” said Woodall in a statement. “We hope Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell will take our concerns seriously and block the nomination of Judge Pearson.”

NCBA has producer-passed policy recognizing the difference between animal welfare and animal rights. Specifically, according to NCBA policy, animal rights is a position taken by those who believe that animals have legal and moral rights similar to humans. Animal welfare is the reasonable care of all animals, as in good animal husbandry practices.

Woodall said U.S. beef cattle producers have been world leaders regarding cattle care.

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