WASHINGTON—Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) today introduced the Fairness for Small Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act and the Agricultural Worker Justice Act, legislation to support farmworkers and uplift small, family farms across the United States. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) co-sponsored both bills in the Senate. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) co-sponsored the Agricultural Worker Justice Act and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) co-sponsored the Fairness for Small Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act. Representatives Greg Casar (TX-35), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), and Mark Pocan (WI-02) introduced companion legislation in the House.
“Small and family farms and the workers who support them are at the heart of Vermont’s economy and culture. Without them, Vermont wouldn’t be the place we know and love,” said Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT). “But the wellbeing and vitality of farms across America is under threat from big corporations and farm consolidation. We can’t let that happen. That’s why I support these bills, which include commonsense safeguards to protect small farms, farmworkers, and the products produced in Vermont.”
“Our food system used to work better – everyday consumers saw lower prices, and small farmers and ranchers were taken care of. But in the last few decades, there’s been a huge concentration of power amongst the biggest companies, who are making enormous profits at the expense of workers, local farmers, ranchers, and consumers,” said Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas). “These two bills take that on and say, ‘We need a food system that works for everyone.’ Whether you’re working in a food processing plant, making your living as a small farmer, or buying food at the grocery store – our food system shouldn’t just be going to huge corporate profits.”
“Lack of competition has corrupted the entire food supply chain: from seed and fertilizer production to big agribusinesses that drive out small family farms and force workers to endure egregious conditions. This is unacceptable,” said Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR).“We must reverse these disturbing trends and cultivate a food and farm system that works for everyone.”
“Bad actors in the agricultural and meatpacking industries have harmed workers with no consequences for too long,” said Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI). “Bills like the Agricultural Worker Justice Act need to be included in the 2023 Farm Bill to ensure these companies abide by the laws protecting the workers who feed us. This bill gives the government comprehensive tools to crack down on unsafe slaughterhouse practices, prohibit violators from USDA contracts, and stop greedy companies from buying back stock. By enforcing worker safety standards and not rewarding bad actors with lucrative government contracts, we can incentivize safer working conditions for every food production worker, which is a critical step toward a more just food system for all.”
The Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers & Ranchers Act would halt mergers of big agriculture firms and strengthen antitrust laws across the agricultural sector. The bill is endorsed by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Campaign for Contract Agriculture Reform, Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment, Farm Action Fund, Farm Aid, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming, Indivisible, Iowa Stock Growers Association, National Education Association, National Family Farm Coalition, National Farmers Union, Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA), Rural Advancement Foundation International – USA, Southern Colorado Livestock Association, Stevens County Cattleman’s Association, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), and Working Families Party.
In the Senate, the bill was co-sponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). Representatives Greg Casar (TX-35) and Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives, . co-sponsored by Representatives Alma Adams (NC-12), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Cori Bush (MO-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), James McGovern (MA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Juan Vargas (CA-51).
The Agricultural Worker Justice Act would require major food companies to provide decent wages and safe working conditions in order to do business with the federal government. The bill is endorsed by American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Farm Action Fund, Farm Aid, Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming, Indivisible, International Brotherhood Of Teamsters, Iowa Stock Growers Association, National Education Association, Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA), Rural Advancement Foundation International – USA, Southern Colorado Livestock Association, Stevens County Cattleman’s Association, United Farm Workers, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), and Working Families Party.
In the Senate, the bill was co-sponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). Representatives Greg Casar (TX-35) and Mark Pocan (WI-02) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives, co-sponsored by Representatives Alma Adams (NC-12), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Cori Bush (MO-01), Andre Carson (IN-07), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), James McGovern (MA-02), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Juan Vargas (CA-51), and Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07).
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