Dear Humanitarian:

We are writing about two measures before Congress.  Please act now by contacting your legislators on behalf of the animals—the first bill should be opposed, and the second is in need of further support.

1. Congress Moves Closer to Weakening Food Safety Laws

With so much talk about increasing food safety being bantered around the halls of Congress, it is ironic that many of the chambers’ actions actually make things more dangerous.  The latest example is the National Uniformity for Food Act, H.R. 4167, which was recently passed by the House of Representatives without a hearing.

The controversial labeling bill would take away local government and state power to require food safety labels, such as those required in California and other states on foods or beverages likely to cause cancer, birth defects, allergic reactions or mercury poisoning.  This bill would also prevent citizens in local municipalities and states from passing laws that require the labeling of genetically engineered foods, food irradiation, harmful ingredients and synthetic hormones such as Monsanto's recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH). 

The Society for Animal Protective Legislation is not alone in our strong opposition of this reckless measure that not only harms food safety, but also threatens animal welfare.  On March 2, 2006, a letter of opposition was sent by the National Association of States Attorneys General to Congress signed by 39 attorneys general.  Similar letters are circulating Congress from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the Association of Food and Drug Officials and numerous environmental groups.

What you can do:

• Congress should support the strengthening and increasing of food labeling laws, not the weakening of them.
• Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not comprehensively regulate food safety, eliminating all state laws—unless they are identical to FDA requirements—will wipe out 200 state food safety and labeling laws.
• Local and state officials are now responsible for 80 percent of the nation's food safety enforcement. If H.R. 4167 is enacted, oversight will no longer be conducted by those who are most informed about local needs.

Yet more than half of the dealers are currently under investigation by the USDA for AWA violations, and they supply about 10,000 animals to laboratories each year.  Class B dealers often deny their animals palatable food, fresh water and needed veterinary care before they are sold off to research facilities.  Though he had been rescued and placed in good hands, Buck (pictured), died because of the neglect he had suffered at a dealer’s premises.

What you can do:

Please write, call, fax or e-mail your Representative, urging him or her to cosponsor the English-Doyle Pet Safety and Protection Act (bill number pending).  Additionally, contact your Senators to ask that they cosponsor the Akaka Pet Safety and Protection Act (S. 451).

Please share our “Dear Humanitarian” eAlert with family, friends and co-workers, and encourage them to contact their legislators, too.  As always, thank you for your help!