China and mulitnational corporations are fighting for the “Right to Farm” in Oklahoma
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New TV Ad: Corporate “Right to Harm” Bill Bad for Animals and State’s Traditional Family Farm Economy
(Mar. 30, 2015)—A new television advertising campaign launched over the weekend warns Oklahomans about a proposed bill in the legislature to create a constitutional “right to farm.” The advertising campaign is the latest effort by The Humane Society of the United States to urge opposition to HJR 1012, the “Right to Farm” bill, which should be more aptly titled “Right to Harm.” If passed, the amendment would solidify the bad practices of industrial agriculture that harm family farmers, animal welfare, food safety and the environment.
The advertisement can be seen in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City markets and online.
Harlan Hentges, an attorney and agriculture professional, is a member of The HSUS Oklahoma Agriculture Council. His family has farmed in Noble County, Oklahoma, since prior to statehood. Hentges said: “This legislation only guarantees corporations a right to harm Oklahoma’s traditional family farm way of life, stopping us in the future from having reasonable safeguards to protect our drinking water, farm animals and rural neighbors.”
Facts:
· The “Right to Farm” bill shields industrial agriculture from the democratic process. It would largely prevent voters and legislators from making reforms that would benefit food safety, animal welfare and the quality of our air and water. No other industry is given, or deserves, blanket protection from commonsense regulations.
· Oklahoma farmers and ranchers already have the right to farm as they have for generations.
· Large agribusiness corporations—including ones owned by foreign conglomerates—would benefit the most from this measure, as their contract producers would be unencumbered from many commonsense regulations about what they can do to Oklahoma’s land, air and water.
· Local groups that oppose the “Right to Farm” bill include: Oklahoma Alliance for Animals, Oklahoma Animal Welfare League, Oklahoma Coalition of Animal Rescuers, The Humane Society of Tulsa and Oklahoma Sierra Club.
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Media Contact: Naseem Amini, namini, 240-778-5545
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated most effectiveby our peers. For 60 years, we have celebrated the protection of all animals and confronted all forms of cruelty. We are the nation’s largest provider of hands-on services for animals, caring for more than 100,000 animals each year, and we prevent cruelty to millions more through our advocacy campaigns. Read more about our 60 years of transformational change for animals, and visit us online at humanesociety.org.
This “Right to Farm” bill is really a right for corporations and the Chinese to capture the farmer’s value in the United States.
Isn’t if funny how corporations use the best propaganda money can buy to name their policy agenda to capture the value in the economy from family farmers?