Comment from Tim Cohen
Tim CohenOpposeAdvocacy
Summary: We Animals opposes the proposed restriction on drone operations near fixed site facilities, arguing that such rules could prevent photojournalists from documenting issues of public interest like animal welfare and food production. They emphasize that responsible drone photography is a critical tool for transparency and public education.
It erodes public trust to further reduce our food source transparency. Drone photography has become one of the most important tools for making the often-hidden world of industrial animal agriculture visible. We hope the FAA will carefully consider the public value of aerial photojournalism as it evaluates this proposal.
While the FAA proposal does not automatically restrict drone access to all agricultural facilities, it could create a pathway for some facilities to seek restrictions on aerial documentation. There is not doubt that responsible drone photography serves the public interest. Aerial imagery helps the public understand issues related to animal welfare, the environment, food production, and disaster response. It is a critical tool for visual storytelling and education- and the truth on the ground.
Professional drone operators in the U.S. already operate within a framework of federal, state, and local regulations designed to promote safety. We Animals supports responsible drone operation and works with qualified drone operators who comply with applicable FAA requirements. Our concern is not that drone operators must meet safety and licensing standards. Rather, it is that site-specific flight restrictions could prevent journalists and photographers from documenting matters of public interest.