Turning point for animals
The next few days will be a time of worry but also a time of hope for the many vegetarians and others who care about the welfare of farm animals.We reported a few days ago on the removal from the Farm Bill of a provision, approved by both the producers and the animal welfare groups, that would have provided some minimum standards for egg laying chickens [posting]. Now an even greater threat looms from the so called King Amendment which just passed the House.
The amendment is from Rep. Steve King, and it could wipe out animal protection laws nationwide. Arizona’s law banning gestation crates, Michigan’s law banning veal crates, California’s law banning battery cages—they’re are all in jeopardy. And it doesn’t stop there: every state factory farm confinement law, foie gras bans, horse slaughter laws, shark finning bans and puppy mill regulations—along with environmental protection, worker safety, and other important laws—are all at risk. If the King amendment passes the Senate, these could all could be nullified.
But there is also hope. The Denham-Schrader amendment, which would strip the King amendment from the Farm Bill is also up for a vote. The Denham-Schrader amendment would restore minimum standards for egg laying chickens and also nix the dangerous, overreaching King Amendment, which seeks to repeal state laws regarding agriculture production. For more information visit the Humane Society.