Government Officials Set to Advise Animal Exploiters -- Again

Last month I wrote about an official with the U.S. Department of Commerce who gave animal exploiters advice about how to minimize threats from animal activists.

In November representatives from the Justice Department will do the same.

They are just some of the people signed up to speak at the National Animal Interest Alliance's 2009 conference Nov. 1-4 in Washington, D.C.

While the NAIA sounds like an animal-advocacy group, its board is comprised of people who make their livings from exploiting animals: dog breeders, animal experimenters, a rancher and even a vice president for Feld Entertainment -- the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

In addition to the Justice Department officials speaking at the conference, "select members of Congress and federal agencies" will discuss animal welfare and agriculture.

Animal exploiters have recently criticized The Humane Society of the United States for its lobbying efforts, but given the cushy relationship animal exploiters have had with the U.S. government for decades -- and continue to have -- The HSUS has no choice if it wants to make inroads to help animals.

The CEO of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Ron DeHaven, will also present at the conference. As we saw last week with the AVMA's plan to toss around fish corpses at its annual conference, DeHaven doesn't have the well-being of animals at the forefront of his mind. Ironically he'll be giving an "overview of animal welfare concerns."

Former U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm (D-Texas) will talk about "the unintended consequences of banning horse processing in the U.S." with Cindy Schonholtz, an NAIA vice president and an official with the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association.

The founder of the pro-animal exploitation group Animal Agriculture Alliance, Steve Kopperud, will present "Unity in pursuit of freedom: The answer to animal rights." Just based on the title, I'm assuming this speech is about how all animal exploiters must band together, which they seem to be doing well from my vantage point.

As if they didn't have enough government officials on their side, attendees will lobby their representatives on the final day of the conference.

(Photo courtesy of Soystache.com.)