The Issues

Proposed Legislation and Public Policy

Federal Legislation

Support Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act (H.R. 1726)
May 2, 2008

While federal laws govern the treatment of farm animals during transport and slaughter, they do not address the treatment of animals during their everyday lives. On March 28, 2007, Congressmen Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) introduced the precedent-setting Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act, H.R. 1726, a bill preventing the USDA from purchasing meat, milk and eggs for federal programs unless producers comply with certain animal welfare standards. The bill would require products bought by USDA to come from animals who were allowed to at least turn around and stretch their limbs, among other provisions.

The federal government spends more than $1 billion annually purchasing animal products for various federal programs like the National School Lunch Program. If passed, the Farm Animal Stewardship Act would affect the lives of millions of animals.

Passage of this legislation would also send a clear message to agribusiness that the U.S. government will no longer turn a blind eye to the treatment of animals raised for food.

This legislation also speaks for the overwhelming percentage of Americans who support humane treatment of farm animals. A 2003 Gallup poll found that nearly two-thirds of Americans "support passing strict laws concerning the treatment of farm animals." A 2003 Zogby poll found that nearly 70 percent of Americans find it "unacceptable" that farm animals have no federal protection from abuse while on the farm.

Contact your federal Representative and your two federal Senators and ask them to support H.R. 1726, the Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act. Let them know that with more than 10 billion animals raised and slaughtered annually in U.S. food production, the treatment of these animals is of paramount importance to you.

You may wish to point out that the recently-released report of the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production speaks in support of all aspects of H.R. 1726.

The names and contact information for all your legislators can be looked up at www.vote-smart.org.

1. Please Make a Quick Phone Call (include sample phone script)

2. After you make this quick call, please take a moment to email your legislator. You can refer to the points below, but it is of critical importance to put the email in your own words.

Sample Email

Email Subject Line:

Support H.R. 1726

Email content:

Dear Senator/Representative: As a constituent living at.. I am writing to urge you to vote yes on H.R. 1726. This legislation would require suppliers of meat, milk and egg products to federal programs to comply with basic animal welfare standards.

Additional points to make in your communications

• Consumer concern for the welfare of animals raised for food has led to more and more states banning the use of cruel confinement systems like gestation crates for pigs and veal crates for baby calves. The federal government should join this humane trend.

• The recently-released report of the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production speaks in support of all aspects of H.R. 1726.