http://brownfieldagnews.com/2010/12/22/ncba-opposes-judge-with-animal-activist-ties/

Brownfield AG News. 22 December 2010.

NCBA opposes judge with animal activist ties.

By Ken Anderson.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is expressing its opposition to the nomination of a federal judge, claiming she has ties to animal activists. And a coalition of several other farm groups is also expressing concern with the nomination.

Judge Benita Pearson has been nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The nomination is currently being considered by Congress. But NCBA says Pearson’s membership and participation in an animal rights group called the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) would make it difficult for her to be an impartial judge in cases regarding actions by animal rights activists. ALDF is an organization that advocates giving animals the same legal rights as humans.

Also expressing concerns with the nomination—but stopping short of complete opposition—is the Farm Animal Welfare Coalition (FAWC), which includes the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Pork Producers Council and United Egg Producers. In a letter to senators, FAWC says, “Ms. Pearson’s membership in ALDF demonstrates the willingness of a prospective jurist to go beyond the academic or philosophical contemplation of the legal and political issues of animal rights. Her membership in ALDF translates her personal philosophy into implicit action in support of the goals of the animal rights movement.”