Farm Bill Amendment Could Affect IA Animal Treatment Laws
Richard Alan, Public News Service-IA
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/33113-1
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(06/20/13) DES MOINES, Iowa - Lawmakers are putting many "eggs" in the Farm Bill "basket" in Washington, one of which could affect the welfare of farm animals in Iowa.

The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, would allow only the federal government to make laws establishing animal-welfare practices for the agriculture industry. Paul Shapiro, vice president for farm animal protection at the Humane Society of the United States, said there is no pending federal legislation that would replace the state laws pre-empted by the amendment.

"Normally, when Congress pre-empts a state law, it's in order to replace it with a uniform national standard," he said. "In this case, Congressman King wants to get rid of the state regulations, whether or not they're conflicting, and replace it with nothing."

Supporters of King's amendment, called the Protect Interstate Commerce Act (PICA), say having different laws for each state makes it difficult for large-scale producers.

Chris Peterson, a hog producer from Clear Lake, said most Iowa livestock producers have no problem treating their stock humanely.

"I treat my pigs with respect and dignity 'til the day they go to market," he said.

In a statement about his amendment, King said it would prevent groups such as the Humane Society of the United States from creating what he calls "a network of restrictive state laws that will slowly push agriculture production towards its demise."



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