The ASPCA has strongly condemned the animal-related provisions in the Farm Bill released by the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, highlighting that it would overturn existing state and local farm animal welfare laws, weaken protections for dogs in puppy mills, and fail to protect horses from slaughter. The bill includes the “Save Our Bacon Act,” which would eliminate states’ ability to regulate agriculture and enforce bans on cruel farming practices, threatening millions of farm animals and undermining higher-welfare farmers. Additionally, it makes it harder for the USDA to intervene and rescue suffering dogs in puppy mills by raising the standard of proof and making intervention optional, potentially leaving local authorities overwhelmed.

Moreover, the bill neglects to include the bipartisan Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, which aims to prohibit the export of American horses for slaughter abroad, despite widespread congressional support. The ASPCA urges Congress to reject these harmful provisions and instead pass a Farm Bill that upholds state animal protection laws, strengthens rescue efforts for dogs, and permanently ends horse slaughter. The organization encourages the public to contact their representatives to advocate for a more humane Farm Bill that safeguards animals, people, and the environment.