House Agriculture Committee to Mark Up Farm Bill Stuffed with Gifts for Big Ag and the Pesticide Industry 

Friends of the Earth opposes House Agriculture Republicans’ Industry-Friendly Farm Bill Draft 

WASHINGTON – Today, the House Agriculture Committee begins its markup of the Farm Bill, teeing up the next step in the legislative process for the most consequential piece of legislation for the American food system.  

The current version of the bill contains numerous provisions that would threaten public health and the environment, including language that would shield pesticide companies from lawsuits, making it harder for people suffering from cancer and other illnesses associated with pesticide exposure to win court cases. This comes on the heels of an executive order from President Trump seeking to boost the production of glyphosate — the cancer-linked herbicide that is the focus of thousands of lawsuits. 

Another dangerous provision represents an unprecedented federal overreach into states’ rights by overturning California’s Proposition 12, which bans some of the most extreme forms of animal confinement. It would invalidate hundreds of state and local laws that protect food safety, safeguard the environment, and advance more humane agricultural standards. Another provision would prevent local governments from regulating pesticides, reversing decades of precedent leaving the choice up to individual states. 

“Rather than address the economic crises facing America’s family farmers, this Farm Bill is a thinly veiled gift bag for Big Ag and pesticide manufacturers. It’s a massive slap in the face to people across the political spectrum demanding a healthier food system,” said Jason Davidson, Senior Food and Agriculture Campaigner with Friends of the Earth U.S. “From legal immunity for pesticide manufacturers to undoing groundbreaking pesticide and animal welfare protections at the state and local levels, House Agriculture Republicans’ bill would line the pockets of some of the worst polluters in our food system. Instead of channeling billions to Big Ag’s toxic products and factory farms, Congress should invest in helping farmers transition to organic and regenerative agriculture. We urge Democrats to reject this poison-pill package and demand a Farm Bill that truly supports family farmers and a healthier food future.” 
 
Last week, Friends of the Earth joined this sign on letter rejecting the current draft and posted an analysis, New Corporate Welfare Farm Bill Stuffed with Poison Pills, which further outlines some of the worst provisions benefitting pesticide manufacturers and other large agriculture companies. It also identifies some of the bills that, if included in the Farm Bill, would support a transition to a healthier and more just food system. 

Communications contact: Lindsay Tice, [email protected], (202) 783-7400 ext. 8403