Federal Bill Takes Aim at Worst Factory Farming Abuses

March 29, 2007


	© iStockphoto
	Many egg-laying hens spend their lives crowded into tiny wire cages. The Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act would address this and other cruelties of factory farming.

Thanks to a critically important proposed federal bill launched March 28, 2007, millions of farm animals have hope for better lives.

Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) introduced the Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act (FASPA) [PDF], which would require animal producers supplying federal programs with meat, dairy and eggs to comply with moderate animal welfare standards.

The bill, H.R. 1726, outlines basic animal welfare principles and would require that producers supplying the federal government provide farm animals with enough space to engage in basic movement, supply them with daily access to food and water without force-feeding or starvation, and treat or humanely euthanize sick or injured animals.

Congressional Foresight

"Increasingly, Americans are demanding we curb the most abusive factory farming practices," DeFazio said. "As a significant buyer of farm animal products, the federal government can and should help lead the way, encouraging better practices within the industry. I look forward to working with Rep. Shays and HSUS on building support for this legislation."

"The way a society treats its animals speaks to the core values and priorities of its citizens," said Shays, who is the co-chair of the Friends of Animals Caucus. "Our government can have a tremendous impact in encouraging improved treatment of animals by requiring producers to meet basic federal animal welfare requirements."

Unprecedented Potential

Each year, the federal government spends billions of dollars purchasing food products for a variety of programs and agencies, which means that millions of animals' lives would be improved by the bill.

"We are grateful to Congressmen DeFazio and Shays for introducing this important legislation, which would dramatically improve the lives of the millions of animals being raised for the meat, eggs and dairy products that the federal government purchases," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "Congress decided nearly a half century ago with the passage of the first humane slaughter law that farm animals deserve legal protection at the time of their slaughter. Now it's time to give them some legal protection during the longest portion of their lives, as well."

What You Can Do

Please urge your U.S. representative to co-sponsor and support this landmark bill to provide basic animal welfare standards for suppliers of animal products to the federal government.

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