Congressional Republicans are seeking to block state restrictions on how farm animals are raised, saying states shouldn’t be able to tell farmers in other states how to produce their livestock.
The bill would ban state and local governments from imposing standards on the production of agricultural goods that come from other states. The provision would stop states from legislating animal welfare issues such as the space provided for pigs and chickens to move around.
“The last thing we need is a big state like California imposing its will on ag-heavy states like Kansas with regulations that will also restrict our ability to trade among the states,” said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., a bill sponsor.
The legislation comes after the Supreme Court in May upheld California’s Proposition 12, which bans the sale of pork that comes from pigs raised in pens that confine the animals’ movement. Such enclosures are often used in at least part of a sow’s gestation.
Ag industry groups and GOP lawmakers have said the ruling could lead to a proliferation of state laws that producers would struggle to keep up with.
“It’s not California that’s trying to foist its standards on the rest of the country. It’s the pork industry’s trade association that’s trying to force every state to accept the terms of any other state that chooses not to ensure humane treatment,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund.
Neither the House nor Senate version of the bill has Democratic co-sponsors. Similar language was rejected in the past two Farm Bills.
Source: lancasterfarming.com
Photo Credit: istock-songqiuju
Categories: Kansas, Government & Policy