Body
WHEREAS, an amendment to the Farm Bill proposed by United States Congressman Steve King (R-IA) could undo hundreds of existing and local laws regarding agriculture and the treatment of animals. If an individual state tolerates the way a particular agricultural product is manufactured or produced, no matter how hazardous or inhumane, every other state could be forced to follow those laws despite enacting their own protections; and,
WHEREAS, the King amendment threatens the validity of animal welfare laws already enacted by City Councils and State Legislatures and through voter-approved ballot measures, such as banning puppy mills, regulating the sale of horse meat, prohibiting eggs from cruelly-caged hens, and outlawing the practice of shark finning; and,
WHEREAS, the King Amendment could also supersede hundreds of state and local measures addressing food safety, food labeling, environmental protections, child labor and the sale of alcohol, tobacco products, and more; and,
WHEREAS, a diverse and broad coalition of more than 200 groups oppose this dangerous bill and more than 60 of these organizations have signed a joint letter to Congress opposing it; and,
WHEREAS, in 2015, Pittsburgh City Council passed Pennsylvania's first ordinance banning inhumane and cruel puppy mills, and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate are considering a statewide puppy mill ban. The King Amendment could render both well-intentioned bills unenforceable; and,
WHEREAS, states and localities have different laws because of diverse needs. Mandating the uniformity of agricultural laws ignores the importance of state and local control and could lead to catastrophic consequences and set back animal protections decades.
Title
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby calls on Congress to oppose Congressman Steve King's amendment to the Farm Bill; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Will of Council shall be ...
Click here for full text