The EATS Act poses a grave threat to animal welfare, public health, and the ability of states to enact their own laws regarding agricultural practices. By nullifying state laws that impact agriculture in other states, it could undermine over 1,000 public health, safety, and animal welfare policies across the country. Landmark laws like California's Proposition 12, which mandates better living conditions for farm animals, would be in jeopardy. This is unacceptable. The consequences would be severe. Eliminating standards for livestock entering states could increase the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks like avian influenza and African swine fever. It would undercut progress made in improving farm animal welfare and threaten the livelihoods of small farmers who have adopted humane practices. As over 150 lawmakers warned, the EATS Act "harms America's small farmers, threatens numerous state laws, and infringes on the fundamental rights of states." We cannot allow the unraveling of hard-won protections for farm animals and public health. I urge you to vigorously oppose the inclusion of the EATS Act in the 2023 Farm Bill. The risks it poses to animal welfare, food safety, states' rights, and agricultural biosecurity are simply too great. We must prioritize the well-being of farm animals, consumers, and rural communities over the narrow interests pushing this misguided legislation.
