ASPCA and Farmers Urge Congress to Preserve State Animal Protection Laws

Strategic Insights -

As the U.S. House Agriculture Committee weighs the fate of Proposition 12, a landmark animal protection law, the ASPCA and farmers from across the country are calling on Congress to protect state animal protection laws that have significantly improved the lives of millions of farm animals and created vital market opportunities for higher-welfare farmers. The EATS Act, a bill that would overturn these laws, has been reintroduced in the Senate and poses a significant threat to animal welfare and farmers who prioritize humane treatment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ASPCA and farmers are urging Congress to reject the EATS Act and preserve state animal protection laws, which have improved the lives of millions of farm animals and created important markets for higher-welfare farmers.
  • Over 3,000 farmers across the country support and depend on commonsense bans against the cruel confinement of farm animals, as stated by Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President & CEO.
  • The EATS Act would condemn millions of farm animals to extreme confinement in cages and crates, threaten the livelihoods of thousands of farmers, and steamroll states' rights to pass laws protecting people and animals.
  • The passage of Proposition 12 has led to the successful implementation of cage-free programs, with nearly half of all eggs produced in the U.S. now coming from cage-free operations.
  • Farmers and food companies of all sizes have enthusiastically met public demand for more humane products, highlighting the market for higher-welfare, cage and crate-free products.
  • The EATS Act and similar attempts to overturn state laws are a direct response to the success of animal welfare reforms like Proposition 12, which challenge industrial agriculture's cruel status quo.
  • Americans overwhelmingly agree that animals raised for food should be free from suffering, and they want more access to higher-welfare, cage and crate-free products.
  • Congress should focus on providing farmers with the funding and resources they need to transition to more humane and healthy farming systems.

Statistics:

  • Nearly half of all eggs produced in the U.S. come from cage-free operations (Proposition 12).
  • Over 3,000 farmers across the country support and depend on commonsense bans against the cruel confinement of farm animals.
  • The EATS Act would condemn millions of farm animals to extreme confinement in cages and crates.
  • Thousands of farmers rely on state animal protection laws like Proposition 12 for market opportunities and humane farming practices.

Sources:

  • American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
  • Proposed legislation: EATS Act (S.1326)
  • ASPCA: [www.aspca.org](http://www.aspca.org)
  • [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aspca-farmers-urge-congress-to-preserve-state-animal-protection-laws-301332578.html)