Oregon Initiative Proposes Ban on Hunting and Fishing

Oregon residents may soon see a ballot initiative that could ban hunting and fishing in the state. Initiative 28, which seeks to expand the state's animal cruelty laws to include various activities, has gained support from over 120,000 signatures, surpassing the 117,000 needed to qualify for the midterm elections. The initiative, led by the group People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions Act (PEACE), aims to prohibit hunting, fishing, and slaughtering livestock, as well as scientific research on animals and other practices currently exempt from animal cruelty laws. While the petition has garnered significant support, some signatures may be deemed ineligible, as has occurred with previous initiatives. David Michelson, the chief petitioner for PEACE, expressed cautious optimism about meeting the signature requirement by the July 2 deadline. However, the initiative faces strong opposition from industry groups, including the Oregon Farm Bureau and the Oregon Hunters Association, who argue it could harm local agriculture and food supply. Oregon Senators Anthony Broadman and David Brock-Smith have also voiced their opposition, stating that the initiative could negatively impact the local economy and cultural practices related to hunting and fishing.