Senate Advocacy Needed: Protect Farm Animal Welfare

email advocacy

Dear [Your Elected Official],

I am writing as a constituent and [veterinarian/veterinary student/veterinary technician/concerned citizen] to ask you to oppose federal preemption of state laws, like Proposition 12 and Question 3, that protect farm animals from extreme confinement.
The version of the Farm Bill recently passed by the House will undo state laws that prohibit the extreme confinement of farm animals, such as gestation crates for pregnant pigs (sows).  These barren crates confine breeding sows for much of their lives to a space so small they can't turn around, walk, or perform basic behaviors. 
The Senate may soon consider its version of the Farm Bill. I respectfully ask you to oppose the inclusion of any provision that will preempt these state laws.
Scientific studies have repeatedly shown the physical harm and psychological distress imposed by these housing systems. For example, sows confined to gestation crates develop more bladder infections, bone weakness, and pressure sores, and exhibit more abnormal behaviors, such as bar-biting and sham-chewing. Experts also worry that the extreme confinement of farm animals negatively impacts food safety and human health.
I do not approve of the extreme confinement of farm animals, nor do I believe these systems can provide minimally acceptable standards of animal welfare. The preference of state voters, the welfare of farm animals, and public health must be protected. 
For these reasons, I respectfully ask you to oppose the inclusion of federal preemption language in the Farm Bill.

Respectfully,

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[Your City & State]

Send me occasional emails about this issue

Hello, my name is ________________, and I live in [city].

I am calling as a [veterinarian/veterinary student/veterinary technician/concerned citizen] to ask Senator __________ to oppose federal preemption of state laws, like Prop. 12, in the Farm Bill.

Efforts are underway to overturn state laws that prohibit the extreme confinement of farm animals, such as gestation crates for pregnant pigs. These barren crates confine breeding sows for much of their lives to a space so small they can't turn around, walk, or perform basic behaviors. Scientific studies have repeatedly shown the physical harm and psychological distress imposed by these housing systems. Experts also worry the extreme confinement of farm animals negatively impacts food safety and human health.

I do not approve of the extreme confinement of farm animals.

The preference of state voters, the welfare of farm animals, and public health must be protected. My ask, again, is for Senator _____________ to oppose federal preemption of state laws, like Prop. 12, in the Farm Bill.

Thank you for sharing my comments.

Summary

The Farm Bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives includes a provision that will undo critical welfare protections for farm animals.  We need your help to ensure the U.S. Senate stops it from becoming law.  A provision in the 2026 Farm Bill passed by the House will preempt - or undo - state laws, like Proposition 12 and Question 3, that protect farm animals from extreme confinement. These state laws, passed overwhelmingly by voters, prohibit pregnant pigs from being confined for months in gestation crates, stalls so small that they cannot turn around. Next, the U.S. Senate will draft and consider its own Farm Bill, and we need to make sure it does not contain the same preemption language. Scientific studies have repeatedly shown the physical harm and psychological distress imposed by these housing systems. While gestation crates are fundamentally unable to provide a minimally acceptable level of animal welfare, group housing systems can do so if properly designed and managed. Use this advocacy platform to send an email or call your senators to deliver an urgent message. Don't forget to customize the bracketed phrase in the first sentence to reflect your professional background. Email info@vafaw.org with any questions. For more details on this issue, read this <a href="https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/24530-opinion-farm-bill-provision-will-harm-animal-and-human-health">op-ed</a> from VAFAW leaders.

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Your Federal Senators