The Farm Bill Battle: Exposing the Hidden Costs of Animal Agriculture
The Farm Bill Battle in Congress: Activists face arrest as they expose the environmental, animal welfare and economic costs of subsidizing animal agriculture.
Los Angeles, August 22, 2024 — As the United States Congress debates the renewal of the Farm Bill, a significant battle is unfolding over the future of food and agriculture in America. At the center of this battle is a heated discussion about the vast government subsidies provided to the meat and dairy industries —industries that not only cause a lot of suffering but are also a major driver of climate change. Activists, including those from Free From Harm and Pro-Animal Future, are taking bold steps to expose the hidden costs of these subsidies and to push for a transition to a more sustainable, plant-based food system. UnchainedTV’s Jane Velez-Mitchell spoke with Free From Harm’s Robert Grillo and Pro-Animal Future’s Natalie Fulton. You can watch their conversation here:
The True Cost of Subsidizing Animal Agriculture
The current Farm Bill allocates a staggering amount of taxpayer money to support animal agriculture. According to the Environmental Working Group, since 1995, $59 billion has been funneled into the meat, dairy, egg and seafood industries, while only a mere $124 million has gone to support alternative plant-based proteins. This massive disparity highlights a critical flaw in the U.S. food system: the prioritization of industries that contribute to animal suffering, environmental degradation and public health crises over those that could help mitigate these issues.
Animal agriculture is a leading cause of climate change, responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, wildlife extinction and water pollution. Yet, instead of reducing subsidies to these harmful industries, the Farm Bill continues to prop them up, perpetuating a cycle of destruction that activists like Robert Grillo and Natalie Fulton are determined to break.
Speaking Truth to Power
Grillo, the founder and president of Free From Harm, and Fulton, a prominent activist and social media lead for Pro-Animal Future, have repeatedly disrupted congressional hearings and public meetings to bring attention to the hidden costs of the Farm Bill. Their efforts have been met with hostility and derision, but they remain undeterred.
In one such disruption, Grillo was arrested at a Congressional hearing for challenging the allocation of billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies to factory farms while taxpayers simultaneously foot the bill for the environmental and public health damages caused by these industries. Similarly, Fulton has spoken out against the devastating impact of animal agriculture on water resources, particularly in drought-stricken areas like Colorado. She shouted this while she was escorted off during one of her disruptions:
“Animal agriculture is one of the leading causes of climate change. 54% of the water in the Colorado Basin goes towards animal farming. Drought is caused by animal agriculture, and we will keep disrupting until we switch to a plant-based food system. Your system is outdated, and tradition is no excuse for animal abuse.”
You can watch this other video about Robert Grillo recounting his arrest at a congressional hearing over the Farm Bill:
Demanding Change
The Farm Bill battle is more than just a political debate; it is a fight for the future of our planet. Activists argue that the only way to prevent further environmental destruction, lower the risk of new pandemics, and also address the escalating threat of climate change is to shift subsidies away from animal agriculture and towards sustainable plant-based farming. Such a shift could help create a food system that is not only healthier for people but also for the planet, allowing us to sidestep a looming climate apocalypse.
As Congress continues to debate the renewal of the Farm Bill, the voices of these activists grow louder. They call for a reimagining of American agriculture — one that prioritizes sustainability, health, compassion for animals and justice over profit and tradition. The outcome of this battle could determine the fate of our food system and, ultimately, the future of our planet.
Animal Ag Is Trying to Erase Even Small Protections for Farmed Animals
On the other side of the Farm Bill Battle, the animal agriculture industry is trying to include provisions aimed at eliminating any advances in farmed animal protection achieved at the state level. The EATS Act, being pushed by pro-meat/dairy industry lawmakers, would wipe out numerous state laws that ban different aspects of animal agriculture. For instance, it could wipe out California’s Prop 12, intended to ban the sale of meat from animals kept in extreme confinement. If you want to know more about the EATS Act watch this interview with Alex Cragun from Mercy for Animals:
“A trillion and a half dollars in a seven trillion budget, that’s how much is at stake here, and a lot of it is going to animal agriculture. We say ‘No!’ Enough is enough!”— Robert Grillo, Free From Harm
Check out this show and more at UnchainedTV.
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