What to Do About the PAUSE Act or Colorado Initiative 16 If You Care About Animals
If you live on God’s green Earth, then you need to know about the PAUSE Act or Colorado Initiative 16. And you don’t just need to know about it, you also need to DO something about it.
PAUSE stands for Protect Animals from Unnecessary Suffering and Exploitation.
This initiative is filed with the state of Colorado for the November 2022 midterm election. If the initiative receives enough signatures (124,600 registered Colorado voters), it will be added to the ballot for a vote.
Here’s what PAUSE is about
You can read the full initiative directly from the PAUSE website here: https://c2d66864-9c4e-4475-8d58-9a685a26bf17.filesusr.com/ugd/21ab33_44de84044af94542a28830bb359897cb.pdf
You can also learn more about the PAUSE campaign on their website: https://www.coloradopause.org/
Here are the points we think stand out. If this legislation is enacted it would:
Determine the natural lifespan for several livestock species:
Cow: 20 years
Chicken: 8 years
Turkey: 10 years
Duck: 6 years
Pig: 15 years
Sheep: 15 years
Rabbit: 6 years
Classify a “sexual act with an animal” to include:
Any intrusion or penetration with an object or part of a person’s body into an animal’s anus or genitals.
Ban slaughter of livestock unless the animal has lived one quarter of their natural lifespan. (See above for “natural lifespans.”) For example a cow would need to be at least 5 years old before slaughter.
Outlaws cruelty to animals such as overloading, overworking, tormenting, depriving of necessary sustenance, unnecessary cruelly beating, allows housing that results in chronic or repeated serious physical farm, carries or confines in a cruel or reckless manner, or engages in a sexual act with an animal
If you are not involved in the agriculture industry, the above probably sounds perfectly fine. But this campaign would devastate agriculture in Colorado, would negatively impact agriculture and food production nationwide, and have consequences globally.
What would change if PAUSE is enacted?
If PAUSE is enacted it would be illegal to provide many types of beneficial health care to animals. We’re going to focus on examples for cattle here since that is our business, but know that these would carry over into other animal species as well.
How would PAUSE affect people who own animals (ie: ranchers)?
Veterinarians and ranchers would possibly not be able to help cows deliver calves that are stuck in the uterus.
Veterinarians and ranchers would not be able to check if a cow is pregnant and thus provide her with the care a pregnant cow needs.
Ranchers would not be able to assist in the reproduction process in cattle or test for fertility
Ranchers would not be able to castrate bull calves
Veterinarians and ranchers would not be able to test for disease or provide medical assistance to cattle who have been injured in their genital areas
Cattle would not be allowed to be slaughtered until at least 5 years old. Cattle raised for beef production are currently slaughtered around 2 old. This would increase the amount of inputs (more than double) required to raise cattle and extend the length of the production cycle.
Beef would not be able to be exported to many countries (such as Japan) that do not accept beef from cattle that is older than 30 months.
How would PAUSE affect anyone who buys or eats beef, beef by-products, dairy products, and other animal products?
The price of ANY of these products will increase significantly. For example, the price of a pound of beef could increase by more than $2.
Availability of these products will decrease.
Taste and palatability of beef (and other meat) products will change.
Consumption of other types of proteins may increase, creating more shortages.
How would PAUSE affect pet owners of dogs, cats, and other small animals?
Some medical procedures and test may be outlawed, meaning your pet may not be able to access the same level of medical care
How would PAUSE affect the state of Colorado?
Many resources are required to raise livestock. By outlawing the slaughter of animals until they reach one-quarter of their “natural lifespan” the amount of these resources needed would increase. This means there will be a shortage of some of these resources.
The state of Colorado has a $7 billion livestock industry. According to the below-linked article, Colorado would lose $5 billion in livestock sales.
Thousands of jobs would be eliminated
Rural communities and schools would be face exodus as the source of many families income would disappear
Other agriculture sectors would face changes as well - especially those that produce feed for livestock.
This article from The Fence Post describes in detail how the economy would be impacted: https://www.thefencepost.com/news/pause-ballot-initiative-to-criminalize-husbandry-practices-would-cost-consumers-limit-food-availability/?fbclid=IwAR3el-_a8LbmsztXD2k3RtOXel3UwLFED_OprYfDD3V-nZ9sbdGn-Qb0llo
What is the process for enacting PAUSE?
The Colorado Veterinary Medical Association outlines the 14 step process very clearly here: https://www.colovma.org/advocacy-news/colorado-ballot-initiative-16-would-criminalize-some-veterinary-and-animal-husbandry-practices/
Why is the PAUSE campaign being supported?
Currently, Colorado statute CRS 18-9-202 makes animal abuse, neglect, and abandonment illegal. But farm animals are exempt from this statute. Supporters of the PAUSE campaign don’t think it is right that farm animals are exempt, even though most anyone recognizes there are significant differences in what would be good for a cow, sheep, or pig and what would be good for a dog or cat. Overall, supporters of Initiative 16 believe that it will increase animal welfare.
What should everyone know about agriculture as they learn about the PAUSE campaign?
Farmers and ranchers provide healthy living conditions, ample food and water, and medical attention for the animals in their care. This is true in almost every circumstance. Just like anything else, there are exceptions to this. For example, if an accountant was caught embezzling money, we would not put all accountants in jail. We would only punish the accountant who committed the crime. Why should all farmers and ranchers be punished for the crimes of a select few?
Ranchers and veterinarians do not sexually assault animals. The circumstances in which a rancher would touch an animal's genitals or penetrate an animal's genitals or anus with an object or their hand are only medical in nature. This is directly comparable to the way a doctor would use tools and their hands to help deliver a human baby, provide a sonogram to an expecting mother, or test for disease.
Beef by-products include a wide range of things you may use, including oestrogen, insulin, and other medicines.
Although not mentioned in the PAUSE campaign, Colorado’s Governor Polis recently proclaimed March 20th as “Meat Out Day.” Meat Out day is not new - it’s been recognized around the U.S. by different groups and organizations for more than 30 years. You can learn more about the Meat Out challenge here: https://meatout.org/
Governor Polis’ proclamation received national news recognition, making statements that animal products are to blame for various health problems, that a plant-based diet helps protect the environment by reducing the carbon footprint, and helps prevent animal cruelty. The problem with this is that it paints a picture that makes broad generalizations about consuming meat in one’s diet, as well as fails to recognize important information about animal agriculture’s effect on the environment. The Peterson Farm Brothers dropped a very valuable Facebook post with facts that this proclamation doesn’t call attention to. Check out the fact-filled post about how cattle affect the carbon footprint here: https://www.facebook.com/PetersonFarmBros/photos/a.547697551919106/3875668555788639/
What can you do to protect animal agriculture?
Support an organization that is working against the PAUSE act. There are many rising to the challenge. A coalition has recently formed. You can learn more about the coalition and the organizations that are part of it here: https://www.coloradocattle.org/index.php?option=com_dailyplanetblog&view=entry&year=2021&month=03&day=24&id=41:coalition-of-ag-leaders-form-to-oppose-initiative-16
It’s important to note that check-off dollars cannot be used to lobby for or against legislation.
Spread accurate information on social media (check out our graphics at the bottom of this post you can share), by writing in to your local newspaper, by calling legislators, and by talking to people you know about this issue. If you would like to contact Colorado legislators, you can find a list here: https://leg.colorado.gov/legislators?fbclid=IwAR0X449pbXqT7mN1yK3sDOpR4gfSuYVxaytu4G2Yw1iuK1yHcwIfQYtj7NQ
DON’T click share on posts that have misinformation, even if is to correct it. This increases the likelihood that people will see inaccurate information.
Tell your local ranchers that you support them. Being attacked by this campaign is stressful and worrisome. Let them know you stand with them.
Ask a rancher or veterinarian about any practices utilized in animal agriculture that you don’t understand. Get your facts straight from the source.
Read articles and information that present both sides of the story. Yes, we think it is important to hear both sides. This is especially true if you yourself are a rancher. You can’t create a valid argument if you don’t know exactly what your opponent believes.
Here’s what I think about Colorado Initiative 16
Honestly, this isn’t really about the PAUSE act. This is just the beginning of the snowball. This is not the last time we will see a campaign like this attack ranchers. The fact is, we have known for a long time that most consumers are disconnected from agriculture. Well, now we know exactly HOW disconnected. The proof is spelled out in writing in the language of the PAUSE act and in the support it is receiving from people.
We’ve been playing defense, trying to educate the general public about how their decisions in the grocery store affect agriculture. It’s time to play offense. We need to have a serious conversation as a community and start to tell our story better as one unit. To me, this means we need to support organizations that are experts in telling the animal agriculture story. Paying dues to these organizations is not something we can treat as a luxury when we need to write off some expenses at tax time. It’s a necessity to keep our industry alive and relevant.
We also need to actively support each other. There is no wrong way to raise cattle - whether you raise grain-fed or grass-fed or organic or NHTC. We all do the same thing - raise beef - so we all need to work together for the better of the industry. It’s so disappointing to me to see the industry being torn apart on the inside when we have much bigger fish to fry.
And, yes we need to educate. This doesn’t mean we need to set up a website or go viral on social media telling our story. We don’t need to change the world with a radical movement. We just need to have a conversation with one person. Every single one of us knows a person who has a misconception about agriculture. You don’t need to find a stranger in L.A. to educate. You need to talk to your cousins, or the mom of the kid from daycare, or your high school student’s cross country coach.
We need to find that person who is one person removed from the farm or ranch and have a conversation with them.
We may not be able to change the opinion of a huge number of people or an activist group. Instead, start by walking alongside someone. Listen to their opinions. Ask questions:
What do they believe? Why do they believe it?
What have they been told? Where do they get their information?
How can we support them in learning more and finding food that is in line with their values?
Instead of getting defensive, it’s time to start understanding. I love the quote from Carlos Whittaker and how we can apply it to this: “I don’t stand on issues. I walk with people.”
In ag, we encourage people to “thank a farmer.” But we should be thanking them. They are putting their money where their mouth is and choosing to vote with their dollar to support agriculture. I actually think President Biden said it really well in his proclamation for National Ag Day:
“On National Agriculture Day, we recognize the unique and irreplaceable value that farmers, ranchers, foresters, farmworkers, and other agricultural stewards have contributed to our Nation's past and present. America’s agriculture sector safeguards our Nation’s lands through sustainable management; ensures the health and safety of animals, plants, and people; provides a safe and abundant food supply; and facilitates opportunities for prosperity and economic development in rural America.”
(Read the rest here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/03/22/a-proclamation-on-national-agriculture-day-2021/v)
Agriculture is so vital.
We need to impact one person so we can continue to be part of the conversation.
Support a farmer or rancher who does things differently than you.
Walk alongside people who see differently than you and have an open conversation.
Support industry organizations that are combating this.
Put your money in for people who are professionals at lobbying for our interests in legislation.