Don't Let the 2026 Farm Bill Weaken Animal Protection Laws
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United Poultry Concerns
Jun 30, 2026, 7:12:14 PM (19 hours ago) Jun 30
to AR-News
United Poultry Concerns
30 June 2026
Don't Let the 2026 Farm Bill Weaken Animal Protection Laws
The U.S. House of Representatives' version of the 2026 Farm Bill includes a provision that would override state animal protection laws governing farmed animals. California's Proposition 12, which established minimum space requirements for egg-laying hens, breeding pigs, and veal calves sold in the state would be invalidated in the House version:
"no State… may impose… any condition or standard of production… that is in addition to, or different from, the conditions… in the State in which the production occurs."
- H.R. 7567, Sec. 12006(c)
On June 23, 2026, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee released its discussion draft of the Agricultural Act of 2026. The Senate's current draft does not include this overriding provision. A markup to debate and amend the draft is tentatively scheduled to take place after the Senate returns from recess in mid-July 2026. As the Senate considers its bill and later negotiates with the House, there is an opportunity to keep this harmful language out of the final 2026 Farm Bill.
United Poultry Concerns opposes the exploitation of all animals and does not regard any industrial production system as humane. Nevertheless, Congress should not weaken existing state protections or prevent states from adopting stronger laws to reduce the suffering of farmed animals.
What Can I Do?
Please contact your two U.S. Senators and respectfully urge them to:
Oppose any Farm Bill provision that would preempt or weaken state animal protection laws.
Preserve states' authority to enact stronger protections for farmed animals.
To find and contact your U.S. Senators, visit https://www.senate.gov/senators. A U.S. Capitol Switchboard operator can also connect you directly with the Senate office at (202) 224-3121.
Sample Letter to Your U.S. Senators
[Date]
The Honorable [Senator's First and Last Name]
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator [Last Name]:
As your constituent, I respectfully urge you to oppose any provision in the 2026 Farm Bill that would preempt laws protecting farmed animals. The House-passed bill would override laws such as California's Proposition 12 and undermine states' authority to enact and enforce stronger animal welfare standards.
Congress should not weaken these limited protections or prevent states from adopting stronger protections in the future.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Street Address]
[Your City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
--
United Poultry Concerns is a nonprofit organization that promotes
the compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl.
Don't just switch from beef to chicken. Go Vegan.
https://www.UPC-online.org/ http://www.twitter.com/upcnews
https://www.facebook.com/UnitedPoultryConcerns
View this article online
30 June 2026
Don't Let the 2026 Farm Bill Weaken Animal Protection Laws
The U.S. House of Representatives' version of the 2026 Farm Bill includes a provision that would override state animal protection laws governing farmed animals. California's Proposition 12, which established minimum space requirements for egg-laying hens, breeding pigs, and veal calves sold in the state would be invalidated in the House version:
"no State… may impose… any condition or standard of production… that is in addition to, or different from, the conditions… in the State in which the production occurs."
- H.R. 7567, Sec. 12006(c)
On June 23, 2026, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee released its discussion draft of the Agricultural Act of 2026. The Senate's current draft does not include this overriding provision. A markup to debate and amend the draft is tentatively scheduled to take place after the Senate returns from recess in mid-July 2026. As the Senate considers its bill and later negotiates with the House, there is an opportunity to keep this harmful language out of the final 2026 Farm Bill.
United Poultry Concerns opposes the exploitation of all animals and does not regard any industrial production system as humane. Nevertheless, Congress should not weaken existing state protections or prevent states from adopting stronger laws to reduce the suffering of farmed animals.
What Can I Do?
Please contact your two U.S. Senators and respectfully urge them to:
Oppose any Farm Bill provision that would preempt or weaken state animal protection laws.
Preserve states' authority to enact stronger protections for farmed animals.
To find and contact your U.S. Senators, visit https://www.senate.gov/senators. A U.S. Capitol Switchboard operator can also connect you directly with the Senate office at (202) 224-3121.
Sample Letter to Your U.S. Senators
[Date]
The Honorable [Senator's First and Last Name]
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator [Last Name]:
As your constituent, I respectfully urge you to oppose any provision in the 2026 Farm Bill that would preempt laws protecting farmed animals. The House-passed bill would override laws such as California's Proposition 12 and undermine states' authority to enact and enforce stronger animal welfare standards.
Congress should not weaken these limited protections or prevent states from adopting stronger protections in the future.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Street Address]
[Your City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
--
United Poultry Concerns is a nonprofit organization that promotes
the compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic fowl.
Don't just switch from beef to chicken. Go Vegan.
https://www.UPC-online.org/ http://www.twitter.com/upcnews
https://www.facebook.com/UnitedPoultryConcerns
View this article online
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