Sheep Industry News December 2024

Proposed Slaughterhouse Ban Fails

D enver city residents rejected a proposed ban on slaugh terhouses on Nov. 5, when more than 64 percent of vot ers said no to Ordinance 309. The ban unfairly targeted a single business – Superior Farms’ lamb plant on the city’s north side. “Superior Farms spent a tremendous amount of time and money to defeat this referendum. Just as importantly, ASI quickly stepped up with financial support, leading the way for others in the protein industry to do the same,” said Supe rior Farms CEO Rick Stott. “We received significant support from cattlemen, cattle feeders, and the pork, dairy and packing industries. Superior Farms is very grateful for the engagement of sheep producers in every segment of the industry across the nation. That support came in the form of financial contributions and in writing some of the 45,000 postcards that were mailed to Denver voters.” Animal extremists admitted the Denver referendum was a test case for pushing slaughterhouse bans in cities all across the United States. ASI was a key partner in the Stop the Ban Cam paign, which launched at the 2024 ASI Annual Convention in January. The combined efforts resulted in saving the jobs of Su perior Farms’ employee-owners and allowed the American sheep industry to keep open a plant that provides up to 20 percent of all lamb harvesting capacity in the United States. “Denver voters showed up in large numbers to defeat 309, sav ing the jobs of 160 of their neighbors and countless others across our farmer and supply chain,” said Superior Farms Director of Marketing Bob Mariano. “Considering the importance of animal agriculture to food security and regional economies, we’re grate ful to the voters and to the entire meat industry for helping to

spread our message.” Superior Farms drew support from livestock groups such as ASI, Colorado Wool Growers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council and Colora do Livestock Association in an effort to defeat the ban. Addition al support came from a variety of sources, including the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the Denver Pipefitters Union and VISIT DENVER. And more than 50 local restaurants and chefs also endorsed the Stop the Ban campaign. Pro Animal Future – the group behind the proposed ban – shared a lot about its plans both in Denver and beyond with the Our Hen House podcast in September. Comments from Aidan Kankyoku included that the Denver referendum was more about testing the group’s campaign and messaging. “So, we’d like to expand across the country. We’re starting with a pilot campaign in Denver to kind of figure out that model. Our top goal was to really learn about how to run these campaigns effectively and especially to learn about, like, what unexpected thing, what are we gonna face that we don’t know about right now? And so next time, we’re going to be all more prepared.” Hopefully the sound defeat of the referendum will put a damper on the group’s future activities. But there’s no guarantee. The group also placed a referendum on the Denver ballot to stop the sale of fur and other animal products in the city limits, which would have had a direct affect on vendors at the National West ern Stock Show and Rodeo. That effort failed as well, with nearly 58 percent of voters opposing the measure. The Hands of My Hat campaign worked in conjunction with Stop the Ban to defeat both measures. “Today’s victory by the ‘Hands Off My Hat’ team and sup

12 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org