Animal Protection Institute Intervenes in Farm Bureau Freedom of Information Act Legal Case

Animal Protection Institute
Wednesday, 12 July 2000

Waco, TX -- Today, the Animal Protection Institute (API), a nonprofit animal advocacy organization, filed a motion to intervene in the suit filed in Texas by the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Texas Farm Bureau to prevent the release of documents under the Federal Freedom of Information Act.

At issue is the release of "identifying information" including the names and locations of ranches in Texas and New Mexico where Livestock Protection Collars (LPCs) using the toxic poison sodium fluoroacetate, commonly known as Compound 1080, a lethal poison with no known antidote, is used to kill coyotes and other predators. Information which would identify LPC applicators, and assist in determining their compliance with state and federal laws, was also withheld.

A case filed months earlier by API in federal court in Washington D.C. led to a government announcement that it would release the information to API. That case was held up when the Farm Bureau moved to block the release of requested documents in federal court in Waco, TX.

"The public has every right to know where toxic poisons like sodium fluoroacetate (Compound 1080) are being used. Without this information, it is impossible to assess whether or not LPC applicators are in violation of state or federal laws," says Alan Berger, API's Executive Director. "Refusing to release this information prevents API from protecting individuals, their companion animals and threatened and endangered species from being accidentally poisoned by sodium fluoroacetate."

This case has broader implications; the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "Wildlife Services" agency (formerly Animal Damage Control) has already distorted the interpretation of this injunction by denying requests related to any information pertaining to its actions -- not just the names and locations of ranches where the LPC is used. API fears that if the Texas precedent is allowed to stand, previously available information that was used to monitor taxpayer-sponsored federal programs will become increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to obtain.

Background information and a timeline of FOIA and court proceedings are available upon request.

About API: The Animal Protection Institute (API) is a nonprofit animal advocacy organization headquartered in Sacramento, California. API has more than 82,000 members nationwide, with 500 supporters in New Mexico and 2,200 supporters in Texas. API is intervening in this case on behalf of the organization, and its members.

For more information, or to contact Animal Protection Institute, see their website at: www.api4animals.org