On September 19, Senators Peter Welch, Bernie Sanders, and Cory Booker introduced the LOCAL Foods Act (S.5106), a vital piece of legislation that aims to support our farmers, ranchers, and consumers by allowing on-farm slaughter of livestock for personal use, making it easier to access local, sustainable food.
Why This Matters:
Currently, the language of the federal law limits the “personal use” exemption to the person who raised the animals. In other words, only the farmers themselves can process the animals, and the meat can only be used for the farmers’ personal and household use.
USDA has historically interpreted the personal use exemption to also allow non-farmers to buy animals while still alive, for on-farm slaughter. But the agency has objected to those consumer co-owners hiring itinerant slaughterers (and how many people want to process their own animals?!). And now the agency is indicating that it may backtrack and enforce the stricter, narrower interpretation that would require people to not only own the live animal, but have raised the animals themselves.
The LOCAL Foods Act updates the law to specifically allow people to buy shares of animals and then have them processed by the farmer or another agent of their choice on-farm. This change will:
- Expand opportunities for small farmers, many of whom otherwise would have to drive long hours and pay high fees for inspected processors.
- Improve consumer access to local meat.
- Protect farmers’ rights to practice on-farm slaughter according to state regulations.
TAKE ACTION TODAY!
1. Call Your Senators: Urge them to co-sponsor the LOCAL Foods Act (S.5106). It’s crucial for them to hear from you about the importance of this bill for our local food systems. Need help contacting your senators? Click here to FIND YOUR U.S. SENATORS.
Sample script: “Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a member of the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance. I am calling to urge [Senator Name] to co-sponsor the LOCAL Foods Act (S.5106). This legislation is crucial for allowing farmers to sell directly to consumers and enhancing access to local foods. Thank you!”
2. Contact Your House Representatives: Ask them to introduce a companion bill in the House. We need legislation that reflects the needs of our farmers and communities! Need help identifying or contacting your House Representative? Click here toFIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.
Sample script: “Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a member of the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance. I am calling to urge [Representative’s Name] to support the LOCAL Foods Act (S.5106) and to introduce a companion bill in the House. This legislation is crucial for allowing farmers to sell directly to consumers and enhancing access to local foods. Thank you!”
Key Points to Mention:
- Emphasize the importance of supporting local farmers and the economic impact of removing regulatory barriers.
- Highlight the growing consumer demand for local food sources.
- Mention how the act aligns with the current practice in multiple states and supports food sovereignty.
Let’s rally together to secure the future of our local food systems. Your voice is vital in making the LOCAL Foods Act a reality! Thank you for your continued support!
In solidarity,
Judith McGeary
Executive Director/Founder, FARFA
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Diana Wilkinson says
Please confirm the passage of this bill. Help Americans have a choice and a chance at health!
Michael C Parker says
Please hep make it so we have a choice
Chef says
Thank you one and all regarding all things relating to this subject matter!
i say there is a critically important criteria for all Americans to know, to completely understand as well as engage in according to the ability of each American who realizes their fundamental relationship to American Law and this criteria is the Lawful limitations of the jurisdiction that we the American people granted to our public servants.
i say knowing and clearly understanding the terms in any: Act of Congress is most essential to see the limits of lawfully granted jurisdiction.
In regards to: “Local Foods Act” some of the terms can be seen at 21 USC 601 however IMO possibly the most important term is not completely defined and when given enough thought as to why the deficiencies begin to be revealed. The term being referred to is: commerce and without having complete understanding of what exactly commerce is and includes as well as what it isn’t and doesn’t include the ignorance of this term in this context turns this term into a blind belief and or similar handicap to the detriment of the believer!
American law is not a belief system or based on beliefs it is directly knowable because it is presented in writing that required proper English grammar and conventional definitions of terms unless their are other definitions that adequately define the meaning of those terms. The definition in 21 USC 601 for: Commerce does not adequately define the meaning of this legal term.
What this term is not: commerce is not: trade which is the exchange of goods and services between people and which we all have a right to do among ourselves. Commerce on the other hand is the exchange of goods and/or services between corporations.
Back to: jurisdiction – the Organic Law that grants. Jurisdiction to Congress also has physical – land-based limitations which all s Americans must know, can know and must keep in mind whenever reading any Act of Congress otherwise the deficiencies of that ignorance will assume the Act is applicable everywhere and that is absolutely not the case!
But don’t take my word for what constitutes true American Law! Read and research for yourself.
BTW the “Organic Law” that governs Congress is known as: “The Constitution For The United States of America” and that “United States of America is not a corporation.