Don't Let Congress Trump Local Animal Welfare Laws

Tucked away in the Farm Bill, which is making its way through Congress, there is a small provision—Section 123—that would prohibit state and local governments from banning activities they deem contrary to public health, safety, or morals. This law would undermine the democratic process by taking away citizens' right to vote against the inhumane treatment of animals.

If passed, this provision would reverse bans on horse slaughter in states including Illinois, Texas, and California; bans on cruel gestation crates in Florida and both gestation and veal crates in Arizona; and the ban on horrific foie gras production in California. The meat industry and other animal abusers are worried about the major gains that animal advocates have been making in exposing and outlawing the worst abuses of farmed animals, so now these abusers are trying to get Congress to reverse your hard work.