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Farm Bill Update: July 31, 2007
The Farm Bill Heads to the Senate
The 2007 Farm Bill (HR 2419) passed the House of Representatives on July 27th. Animal advocates were successful in keeping two of the most detrimental issues out of the bill—Section 123 (a provision that would have dismantled state laws or regulations protecting farm animals) and a $12 million subsidy that would have gone to the veal industry. However, the Senate is next to take up this measure—and consider it for debate, beginning in early September. Therefore, August is an ideal time to let senate staff members know your thoughts on the farm bill.
This legislation includes a variety of issues such as agriculture, animal welfare, nutrition and conservation. Due to the broad range of the bill, there is ample opportunity for it to be amended to include either positive or negative provisions for farm animals.
What To Do
It is important that we ask the Senate to take further steps to rein in factory farming cruelties. Specifically, your Senators need to hear from you asking them to:
- Oppose subsidies to the veal industry. We must ensure that Congress does not subsidize an industry that tortures calves and is widely viewed by the American public as unacceptably cruel.
- Oppose putting Section 123 back into the Farm Bill. Section 123 could have nullified numerous state and local laws-including recently passed prohibitions against horse slaughter, gestation crates and foie gras production.
- Support: Less money to factory farming and more to fruits and vegetables. At present, the US government purchases millions of dollars worth of animal products, including producers who use the cruelest methods of production - battery cages, gestation crates and veal crates. In addition, the biggest subsidies go to farms that are producing 'commodities' such as grain for livestock, rather than for human consumption. Urge your U.S. senators to support increased subsidies for fruits and vegetables limit government subsidies that fuel the industrial production of meat and dairy products.
Here is how to have your voice heard:
- Find out who your federal senators are by going to www.congress.org.
- Make a quick 30-second phone call to each of your senators and politely ask the staff person to connect you with the animal welfare staffer. Let the staff person know that you are a constituent and that you would like the Senator to oppose veal subsidies and any attempt to include language similar to Section 123 of the house bill. When you phone your Senator, your message can be short and simple. Here is an example:
"Hi my name is (your name), and I am a constituent of Senator (Your Senator's name). I am calling about the Farm Bill to ask Senator (XX) to oppose any attempt to subsidize the veal industry, and oppose any attempt to add Section 123, which threatens existing state humane laws, back into the Farm Bill. In addition, I would like to see (him/her) support any measures that would increase subsidies to fruit and vegetable growers and decrease funds going to livestock production or feed grain for livestock."
- Please follow up your phone call with a quick email to your Senator. It is critical that they hear from as many people as possible. You can let them know that you heard about these issues from Farm Sanctuary.
Thank you for speaking out for farm animals!