Archive: Agriculture

  • Resolution on Country of Origin Labeling January 15, 2014

    Resolution on Country of Origin Labeling Whereas, Free markets are one of ALEC’s core guiding principles and we have much model policy that supports the enhancement of free markets and international trade; and Whereas, Canada and Mexico are the United States’ first and second largest trading partners respectively and that the growth of reciprocal trade should be encouraged as it is beneficial to all three countries; and Whereas, the US mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) is inconsistent with our World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations and has been found by the WTO to discriminate against imported livestock creating challenges for […]

  • Pre-emption of Local Agriculture Laws Act October 11, 2013

    Pre-emption of Local Agriculture Laws Act Summary Makes legislative finding and declaration that regulation of agricultural seed, flower seed and vegetable seed and products of agricultural seed, flower seed and vegetable seed be reserved to state. Prohibits enactment or enforcement of local measures to regulate agricultural seed, flower seed and vegetable seed or products of agricultural seed, flower seed and vegetable seed. Model Policy Section 1. The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that: (1) The production and use of agricultural seed, flower seed and vegetable seed and products of agricultural seed, flower seed and vegetable seed are of substantial economic […]

  • Resolution in Support of Agriculture Research Charities August 26, 2013

    Resolution in Support of Agriculture Research Charities Whereas, federal spending on agricultural research has already recently been trending downward, and further needed spending reform is likely to result in further cuts, Whereas, agriculture will be called upon to feed a world population approaching 9.3 billion by 2050, despite shrinking land and water resources, concerns regarding fertilizer, pesticides and other productivity inputs, and increasing demand for protein, oil and other natural resources. Whereas, modern U.S. agriculture is feeding and clothing the world; providing a safe, economical food supply; reducing the U.S. trade deficit; and employing more than 800,000 people domestically, Whereas, […]

  • Right to Farm Act March 15, 2013

    Summary An Act to define certain farm uses, operations, practices, and products; to provide certain disclosures; to provide for circumstances under which a farm shall not be found to be a public or private nuisance; to provide for certain powers and duties for certain state agencies and departments; and to provide for certain remedies for certain persons. Model Legislation Section 1. {Title} This act shall be known as the Right to Farm Act Section 2. {Definition} A. “Farm” means the land, plants, animals, buildings, structures, ponds used for agricultural purposes, machinery, equipment, and other items or mechanisms used in the commercial […]

  • The Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act (AETA) March 15, 2013

      Summary This act creates penalties for persons encouraging, financing, assisting or engaged in {optional language insert “politically motivated”} acts of animal and ecological terrorism. Model Legislation Section 1. {Short Title} This act shall be known as The Animal Ecological Terrorism Act. Section 2. {Definitions} A. “Animal” means any warm-blooded or cold-blooded animal lawfully confined for food, fur, or fiber production, agriculture and its related activities, research, testing, education or wildlife. B. “Animal activities” means any activity involving the use of animals or animal parts to include hunting, fishing, trapping, traveling, camping, production, preparation or processing of food or food […]

  • ALEC Agriculture Principles March 15, 2013

    Introduction The proper role of government involvement in agriculture is to limit and remove barriers for agricultural production, trade, and consumption throughout our innovative food system. In developing public policy options for agriculture, forestry, and related sectors, policymakers should recognize that the United States currently possesses the safest, highest quality, and most innovative food system in the world. Global demand for agricultural and forest products are expected to increase substantially in the coming decades, and legislators should seek policy options that will allow our system of high-yield, modern agriculture to flourish in order to help meet this demand while meeting environmental and land use challenges. ALEC also […]

  • Resolution On Animal Antibiotic Use March 15, 2013

    WHEREAS, the treatment, prevention and control of animal disease is critically important to the health and welfare of animals and the safety of the food produced; and WHEREAS, the availability of antibiotics is a critical tool for veterinarians, livestock and poultry producers to ensure animal health and the safety of the US food supply; and WHEREAS, the use of antibiotics both therapeutically and sub-therapeutically has a long history of success in improving animal health and welfare; and WHEREAS, general and species-specific judicious-use guidelines already exist and are being implemented on a routine basis.  The guidelines were developed by the American […]

  • Agriculture Bio-Security Act March 15, 2013

    Agriculture Bio-Security Act  Purpose This Act provides civil liability and criminal sanctions against the intentional acts of damaging or destroying any field crop or food product that is subject to testing or product development conducted under contract with a state college, university or other federal, state or local government agency. This Act includes those food products undergoing field testing by private sector corporations. Section 1. {Short Title} This Act shall be known as the Agriculture Bio-Security Act. Section 2. {Definition} For the purposes of this act, Product is defined as: field crops, forests, livestock including poultry and aquaculture, and any […]