U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, recently co-led legislation that preserves the right of states and local units of government to regulate agriculture within their jurisdictions, free from interference from other jurisdictions. The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act would prevent states like California from regulating farmers and ranchers nationwide. U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D., led the introduction of the legislation.
“State regulations like California’s Proposition 12 could directly disrupt Nebraska producers’ ability to feed the nation. Congress shouldn’t allow any one state to single-handedly upend the country’s agricultural economy and force the American people to bear the burden of higher food prices. I’m proud to co-lead this legislation so Nebraska family farmers and ranchers can continue to produce safe and affordable food for our nation without interference,” said Senator Fischer.
“The fractured opinion issued by the Supreme Court in NPPC v. Ross creates a slippery slope that puts our successful interstate economy at risk, by putting complete control in the hands of our largest states. NCBA supports the EATS Act as a tool to give impacted farmers and ranchers relief from state standards that create new costs and regulatory burden,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart.
“We appreciate the Senators for working constructively to find a legislative solution to the challenges presented by California Proposition 12. Proposition 12 will have a significant impact on pork producers and consumers across the country,” said National Pork Producers Council CEO Bryan Humphries.
“As agricultural producers work to feed and fuel a growing population, they need every tool at their discretion and freedom to choose all allowable mechanisms. ARA is pleased to lend support to the EATS Act and applaud its introduction,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock.
“We are grateful lawmakers are seeking ways to ensure grocery store shelves and meat cases across the country do not go bare, and that farmers and ranchers have open access to reach all American consumers,” said Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall.
Background:
The EATS Act would prevent states from impeding Ag trade from other states within the country.
Unnecessary, burdensome regulations in one state can unfairly impact producers nationwide by increasing costs. Some of these laws directly deal with the production of animals — forcing producers to bear the brunt of the increased cost of production and raising food prices on families.
The most recent of these harmful regulations is California’s Proposition 12, which requires that meat products raised outside the state conform to the radical animal rights standards adopted by California. Several other states have adopted or contemplated similar laws that would impact agricultural production outside their state.
In addition to Senators Fischer and Marshall, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.).