CHICAGO — Is it possible to ensure humane treatment for animals raised for consumption? Are current regulations enough? Are genetically modified foods plainly identifiable to consumers?

The Center for Animal Law in DePaul University’s College of Law explores these questions at a daylong symposium, Animals as Food: The Legal Treatment of Animals in Contemporary Agribusiness and Factory Farming. The event takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the DePaul Center, 1 East Jackson Blvd., Chicago.

“Our aim is to facilitate a balanced dialogue about the raising and slaughtering of farm animals,” said professor Margit Livingston, faculty director for the Center for Animal Law. “The symposium will take a look at the law’s role in protecting animals destined for consumption, the emergence of genetically modified food choices in the marketplace and the importance of clear and accurate food labeling.”

Gary Francione, professor of law at Rutgers University School of Law-Newark, will deliver the keynote address. A well-known leader in the modern animal rights movement, Francione will present some of the legal challenges in animal law when animals are viewed as property. “If we really believe animals have moral value, if we really believe that animals are not just things, we must fundamentally change our behavior and seriously look at the matter of animal use and not just the matter of animal treatment,” said Francione.

Panel discussions will focus on topical issues involving animals in today’s agribusiness practices, including the raising and slaughtering of farm animals, anti-whistleblower or “ag-gag laws,” food labeling and regulatory issues.

More information about the symposium topics, speakers and registration is available at http://law.depaul.edu/cal2013event.

The mission of the Center for Animal Law, which is in its 11th year, is to advance the field of animal law by regularly contributing scholarship to the field, providing educational and research opportunities for students and facilitating the exchange of ideas among leading scholars in the field. More information at http://www.law.depaul.edu/animal_law.

Source:
Margit Livingston
312-362-8746
mlivings@depaul.edu

Media Contact:
Brett Davinger
312-362-8065
bdavinge@depaul.edu