House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn (GT) Thompson plans to 1) include the pesticide liability waiver and 2) kill California's Prop 12 in the "Skinny Farm Bill" that must be passed this year

Meryl Nass discusses significant legislation concerning agriculture, particularly focused on pesticide regulation and animal welfare in farming. This involves two key issues: a pesticide liability waiver and the potential abolition of California's Proposition 12.

1. Pesticide Liability Waiver:

• A proposed waiver would delay updates to warning labels on around 50,000 pesticide products to avoid lawsuits regarding their risks.

• This has been nicknamed the “Cancer Gag Act,” emphasizing the serious health implications of pesticide exposure.

2. California's Proposition 12:

• Proposition 12 mandates that hogs and chickens raised for food must have sufficient space to move. This law, popularized by a public referendum, has been effective since last year.

• It aims to promote better animal welfare and enable small farmers to compete with large agribusiness corporations like Smithfield, which is owned by China.

• Chairman Glenn Thompson, along with corporate supporters, seeks to overturn Prop 12 through a misleadingly named “Save Our Bacon Act.”

3. Impact of Proposition 12:

• Proposition 12 has significantly helped small family farms by providing a competitive market against large businesses that could not comply without changing their operations.

• Farmers have reported that this law has improved their livelihoods and allowed for humane treatment of pigs.

4. Bipartisan Support for Animal Welfare:

• Some family farmers are advocating for the continuation of Prop 12, arguing that it has not harmed their businesses.

• There is growing bipartisan support in Congress to maintain Prop 12 against corporate lobbying efforts aiming to repeal it.

5. Misinformation and Opposition:

• Opponents of Prop 12 have disseminated false claims about increased pork prices and supply chain disruptions since its implementation.

• However, data indicates that retail prices remain stable, and many farmers are compliant with the new standards, reinforcing the argument for Prop 12.

6. Calls to Action:

• Farmers and supporters of Prop 12 are encouraged to contact their Congress members, share their stories, and participate in campaigns aimed at protecting the law from repeal.

Meryl Nass emphasizes the urgent need to fight against legislation that could harm both animal welfare and the livelihoods of smaller farmers while promoting consumer and ecological health. With the potential inclusion of these controversial provisions in upcoming farm legislation, advocates for Proposition 12 and responsible pesticide regulations are mobilizing to ensure their voices are heard in Congress. 

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