House Republicans want to stop states regulating any farm products at all

[muriel_volestrangler]

via Balloon Juice:

A California voter-approved law requiring that hens have cages large enough to let them spread their wings has drawn a national backlash from other livestock producers that threatens not only the state's humane treatment of hens, but also its new ban on foie gras.

The latest salvo came in a midnight vote in the House Agriculture Committee on an amendment to deny states the ability to regulate any farm product, potentially overturning not just California's farm laws but animal welfare, food safety and environmental laws related to any farm product in all 50 states.

"To say members of Congress belittled California is an understatement," said Scott Faber, head of federal affairs for Environmental Working Group, which supports farm conservation. "This isn't just an assault on the ability of states to set standards for agriculture. It's an assault on the Constitution. It is a breathtaking effort to limit the ability of states to set standards for how food is produced in America."

The amendment by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, was passed late Wednesday along with the new five-year farm bill during a marathon committee debate.

http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Votes-assails-state-laws-on-food-safety-3706649.php#page-1

The egg industry had actually accepted the California law, and was pushing for it to be enacted nationally, to even things up. But the pork lobby blocked that, and now King is trying to take away the ability of any state to set standards.

[Angry Dragon]

1. Little baby king does not deserve to be in Congress

[Archae]

3. King was bought by big factory farm interests, and has stayed bought.

[Historic NY]

2. What happened to states rights?