Most Americans want to know that the food they purchase and consume was produced responsibly, and that it didn’t come at the cost of animal suffering. It’s no surprise that voters in 15 states backed laws that set reasonable standards for how animals, raised for food, should be treated — such as California’s Proposition 12. Along with ensuring better conditions for farm animals, these laws have helped grow the market for higher-welfare farms and products that many consumers are actively seeking.

Now, some members of Congress are pushing legislation like the Food Security and Farm Protection Act (S. 1326) — formerly known as the EATS Act — and the Save Our Bacon Act to overturn these state standards. This legislation would undermine animal welfare and consumer trust, transparency and state decision-making. Congress should reject all of these attempts to overturn popular, commonsense laws and uphold what voters and consumers have clearly asked for.

I urge my lawmakers, Rep. Chellie Pingree, Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Angus King, to keep the dangerous EATS Act, and other legislation imitating it, out of the Farm Bill and protect the progress we’ve made for animals, consumers and farmers committed to higher-welfare practices.

Kim Schwickrath
Old Orchard Beach