The current draft of the Farm Bill hurts ethical farmers. And it’s bad news for human health and animal welfare.
So, who comes out on top? Industrialized agribusiness.
The bill attempts to shield pesticide companies from lawsuits related to human health impacts. And it restricts the freedom of some state or local jurisdictions to maintain their own health standards. As organic farms fight chemical drift, incidental exposures, and other chemical contamination events, the legislation blatantly ignores established harms of pesticides.
The industrial food system would also benefit from the removal of reasonable animal-welfare protections that were overwhelmingly approved by state voters. Laws that protect the ability of livestock animals to turn around, stand up, lie down, and fully extend their limbs would be revoked by this version of the Farm Bill.
Raise your voice (then follow our tips below). Ask your representatives to put human health first and reject handouts to Industrial Agriculture and pesticide companies!
How to Be an Organic Advocate
What else can you do to protect and grow the food you want to see in the world? Purchasing choices are among the most powerful ways to impact the food system. Check out these tips for making your choices matter:
- Consult Cornucopia’s Who Owns Organic List to learn who owns your favorite brands and keep Big Food out of your kitchen. Swap a corporate-owned organic brand for an indie one and ask your grocer for local recommendations. (Preview our updated research, and keep an eye out for our updated list online in late May.)
- When you can, know your local organic farmers. Check Cornucopia’s organic berry and tomato maps to find certified organic farms near you.
- Be curious about your food. Start with just one category, maybe organic plant-based beverages. Discover a new, top-rated, or independently owned organic product to support. Do the best you can with the resources you have. Be an active participant in the food system by aiming to learn more about your choices.
