LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Say yes to ethical farming

Sat, Nov 20, 2021 (2 a.m.)

It’s time to reimagine our approach to agriculture. By and large, U.S. consumers want to support farms that are honest, sustainable and committed to the humane treatment of animals. The Farm System Reform Act, reintroduced by Sen. Cory BookerD-N.J., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., is a forward-thinking bill that seeks to turn our food system away from factory farming and toward more ethical farming practices.

This vital legislation would place a moratorium on the construction of new factory farms known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), would phase out all existing large CAFOs by 2040, and provide $10 billion a year in financial aid to farmers transitioning to more sustainable, higher-welfare farming. This bill also promotes increased transparency to consumers by clarifying country-of-origin labeling for animal products. Lastly, this legislation would allow communities to hold factory farms accountable for harm to the environment or public health.

The Farm System Reform Act advocates for better conditions for workers, independent farmers, the environment and farm animals. Please contact your representatives in Congress and encourage them to support it; and to my own representative, Dina Titus, and Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, I urge you to cosponsor this vital legislation.

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