[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 125 (Wednesday, August 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               FARM, NUTRITION, AND BIOENERGY ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 27, 2007

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2419) to 
     provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through 
     fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes:

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, I want to express my opposition to the Farm 
Bill Extension Act for a number of reasons, including the extension of 
our depression era system of quotas and commodity support payments. One 
issue I particularly want to highlight is the opportunity we have 
missed here to make meaningful strides towards establishing the humane 
treatment of farm animals. I am disappointed that there are no 
provisions in this bill that work to this end.
  I believe that there is a need to encourage agriculture companies to 
work towards adding protections for farm animals into their work 
practices. Billions of animals are raised for food every year in the 
United States, giving our families nourishment and helping feed the 
world. But there is no Federal law regarding the humane treatment of 
the animals while they are on the farm.
  On March 28, 2007, Congressman Peter DeFazio and I introduced the 
Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act. This legislation that would 
require that those supplying food to the Federal Government--including 
the military, federal prisons, school lunches, and other programs--meet 
a basic set of modest welfare standards for farm animals.
  The humane treatment of animals speaks to our Nation's core values. 
Modest standards preventing Federal suppliers from engaging in the most 
inhumane current industrial farming practices is a step in the right 
direction.
  In 1958 Congress passed the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, deciding 
that farm animals deserve a merciful death. Half a century later, we 
must take steps towards giving them a merciful life on the farm. And 
just as the Federal Government already imposes numerous standards on 
contractors, including wage and labor requirements and fuel economy 
standards for government vehicles, we believe it's time to have basic 
humane standards for food purchased with tax dollars.
  I urge opposition to this legislation.

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