Last week, the House Agriculture Committee voted to approve a Farm Bill that attacks state protections for farm animals, puts dogs in puppy mills at even greater risk, and fails to address the horse slaughter crisis. The House version of the bill includes language based on the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act, which would override existing state and local animal welfare laws and prevent new commonsense animal protection efforts. This language was included in an attempt to nullify California’s Proposition 12, a successful ballot initiative banning the sale of certain animal products from cruel confinement systems, which was upheld by the Supreme Court last year.

The inclusion of this language is just the latest transparent attempt to accommodate the demands of Big Ag, ignoring the will of voters and trouncing states’ rights to enact their own agricultural laws.

In its current form, the House’s Farm Bill will subject millions of animals across the country to immense suffering. Join me in urging our representative, Rep. Pingree, to reject any Farm Bill that contains a version of the EATS Act.

Kim Schwickrath
Old Orchard Beach