Ag Policy Roundup: Save Our Bacon Pushback, Bayer’s Tariff Reversal and New Bills Introduced
USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.
Opposition to the Save Our Bacon Act Grows Among Veterinarians
More than 700 veterinarians signed a letter organized by the Humane Veterinary Medical Alliance urging Congress to keep the Save Our Bacon Act, which would roll back California’s Proposition 12 animal confinement standards, out of the farm bill and other legislative vehicles. The bill was included in the House-passed farm bill version but left out of the Senate’s, and the veterinarians argued it would strip states and localities of their authority to enact animal welfare and public health protections. Public sentiment appears to echo that pushback: a July poll of 625 registered Iowa voters found nearly twice as many respondents opposed the bill as supported it, with opposition outweighing support in every Iowa congressional district except the 4th.
View the full letter signed by 700 veterinarians.
Bayer Withdraws Glyphosate Tariff Petition After Farmer Opposition
Bayer subsidiary Ruveon has withdrawn its petition with the Commerce Department and International Trade Commission that was seeking tariffs on glyphosate imports from China. This withdrawal was in response to widespread pushback from farmer organizations that warned the move would raise herbicide costs. Farm groups, including the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, and the National Association of Wheat Growers, welcomed the decision, saying it helps preserve access to affordable crop protection products during an already challenging farm economy.
Read more commentary in The Fencepost.
Senator Reintroduces Bills to Curb Food Mergers and Protect Farmworkers
Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) reintroduced two agriculture-focused bills to support the agricultural community. The Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers & Ranchers Act would temporarily block large mergers among agribusinesses, food manufacturers and grocery retailers to curb industry consolidation and increase competition. It would also introduce a pilot program to increase access to inspections and technical assistance for eligible processing facilities.
The Agricultural Worker Justice Act would require safe working conditions and fair wages for any major food company that does business with the U.S. government. Supporters say the bills would promote fairer markets for farmers while strengthening protections for the agricultural workforce.