THIS Wednesday, February 7
Tell US legislators to reject the EATS Act (Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act)
and the Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act during a nation-wide call-in day organized by the ASPCA.
Each bill would prevent states from passing or enforcing laws that are more stringent than the weakest state laws in the country.
Both bills claim to protect agricultural trade and farmer livelihoods, but the EATS Act is far reaching, and could nullify up to 1100 state and local laws governing agriculture and food safety.
Another version of the bill, the Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act, is similar but focuses primarily on animal agriculture.
It’s easy to participate. Call the US Capital at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your lawmakers. (Find them here. ) Here’s a short script once you’re connected:
“Hi, I’m ______. I’m a constituent from [town/city]. I’m concerned about animal welfare and calling to ask [legislator’s name] to OPPOSE the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act, H.R. 4417/S. 2019 and the Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act, S. 3382. Please ensure these bills and any similar provisions are NOT included in the upcoming Farm Bill. Thank you.”
Thank you for all you can do to stop these destructive bills!
More information on the EATS Act and Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act:
The EATS Act and Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act were introduced in response to California Proposition 12.
While claiming to protect agricultural trade and farmers, their real goal is to erase existing state and local animal welfare regulations that are already in place. These dangerous bills benefit the financial interests of a few multinational corporations, not farmers, not consumers, and not livestock.
These bills could undo existing bans on cruel farming practices, including gestation crates for pigs, battery cages for egg-laying hens, and veal crates for calves.
Good laws related to food safety, farm worker protections, environmental standards and even puppy mills could also be at risk.
Read JFAN’s article and letter to the editor on The EATS Act to learn more.