House Farm Bill advances with attacks on state-level farmed animal welfare protections
In a lengthy debate that felt all too familiar, some House Agriculture Committee members, led by Chairman GT Thompson, took time at this week’s Farm Bill markup to reopen questioning on the topic of state humane farming laws such as California’s Proposition 12.
Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund, offer the following statements on where the Farm Bill debate goes from here as it heads to the House floor.
Jude Becker humanely raises pigs on his organic farm in Dyersville, Iowa. Photo by Kathy Milani / Humane World for Animals“The House farm bill is a twisted treasure trove of handouts to Big Ag and those seeking to profit from the cruelty of animal exploitation,” Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund. “This package not only guts state laws protecting farm animals from extreme confinement but also includes provisions that make it harder to rescue dogs from international disasters and directs taxpayer-funded support to the mink industry. But once again, Chairman Thompson has touted a farm bill package that would overturn state laws providing basic protections for farmed animals. He has turned federal farm policy over to an out-of-touch, backward-looking segment of the pork industry, setting the stage for market chaos and disregarding the will of millions of voters and consumers who have supported higher standards of welfare for animals raised for food. The package contains so many controversial poison pills attacking animals, communities and the environment that final passage will be virtually impossible.”
An undercover investigation conducted by The HSUS at Seaboard Foods and Prestage Farms in Goodwell, Oklahoma, in late 2011 show the pigs suffering inside cramped gestation crates and at the hands of abusive employees. These images were taken at Seaboard Foods. Photo by Humane World for Animals“Chairman Thompson and his allies pushed forward legislation that disregards the will of consumers who care about how food reaches their plates,” Kitty Block, president and CEO of Humane World for Animals. “Instead, the bill would force low-welfare pork products into markets in every state, including those where voters and lawmakers have explicitly rejected such practices. This approach is out of step with public opinion, the passage of similar protections in more than a dozen states, and the sweeping changes underway in the consumer marketplace and corporate supply chains on animal welfare. Congress should reject this special-interest legislation being driven through the House Agriculture Committee at the behest of Big Pork.”
About Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund
For more than 70 years, the Humane World family has worked to tackle the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to affect permanent change. Formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International and Humane Society Legislative Fund, we operate in more than 50 countries with millions of supporters. Through advocacy, policy change, public education and direct care, we work to end the cruelest practices, care for animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. Together, we are creating a humane world.
