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Oklahoma Bill Would Remove Prohibitions on Discharging Poultry Waste into Water Bodies and Immunize Land Application of Poultry Waste from Liability

Oklahoma House Bill 4118, the “Farmer Protection Act,” would remove from “Best Management Practices” enumerated prohibitions on discharging poultry waste to water bodies, allowing runoff from waste application sites, and creating environmental or health hazards. It also would grant poultry growers statutory immunity from liability for application of poultry waste to land in compliance with a Nutrient Management Plan, which would apply “prospectively and retroactively to any civil or criminal actions.” The bill has not yet been referred to a committee.

Canada and Ontario Invest Eight Million Dollars in Dairy Industry

The governments of Canada and Ontario are committing up to eight million dollars through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to enhance “processing efficiencies” and food safety in Ontario's dairy sector. The Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative invites eligible dairy businesses to apply for funding to acquire modern technologies that boost production efficiency and ensure food safety. The investment is part of the Grow Ontario Strategy, aiming to fortify the agriculture and food supply chain. Open to various milk processors, each eligible applicant can receive up to $200,000 in cost-share support.

Wisconsin Bills Would Preempt Local Efforts to Regulate Animal Agriculture

Wisconsin Senate Bill 892, and its companion, Assembly Bill 957, would prohibit localities from adopting measures regulating any “farm or other commercial operation that raises or confines animals as a commercial enterprise” in areas “zoned exclusively or primarily for agricultural use.” Absent a substantial threat to public health or safety, localities in those areas would not be able to impose stricter animal welfare standards, limit species, limit animal uses at or after departure from an animal enterprise, or require vaccines or medications beyond those specified by state law. The bills were referred respectively to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Tourism and to the Assembly Committee on Local Government.

Ontario Barn Fire Claims Lives of Several Animals

In a devastating incident on January 13, a barn fire on a farm in Wahnapitae, Ontario, resulted in the death of several animals. Greater Sudbury Fire Services responded to the fire, using over 9,000 gallons of water during the two-and-a-half-hour operation. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

New Jersey Bill Would Allow Commercial Farmers to Recover Costs and Attorney’s Fees for “Bad Faith” Nuisance Actions

New Jersey bill A1091 would strengthen legal protections for commercial farmers under New Jersey’s Right to Farm Act, which establishes an “irrebuttable presumption” that a commercial agricultural operation or activity is not a private or public nuisance. It would allow commercial farmers to recover reasonable costs and attorney’s fees incurred in defending a complaint “upon a determination that the complaint was brought in bad faith.” The bill is a carryover from the previous legislative session. The bill was referred to the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee.

New Jersey Bill Would Criminalize Transport and Slaughter of Pregnant Cows

New Jersey bill A3284 would amend the state’s animal cruelty statute to criminalize the slaughter, selling for slaughter, and transport for slaughter of pregnant cows. If enacted, the legislation would be known as “Brianna’s Law.” Violators of the prohibition could be subject to a fine of between $3,000 and $5,000 per cow. The bill is a carryover from the previous legislative session. The bill was referred to the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee.

Coalition of Over 225 Groups and Experts Calls on USDA to Make Reduction of Meat and Dairy Consumption a Focal Point of its Climate Strategy

Led by the Center for Biological Diversity, 137 companies and organizations and 91 individual experts, farmers, and advocates urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address greenhouse gas emissions from animal agriculture. The coalition called on USDA to include reduction of meat and dairy consumption in the agency’s climate strategy, align food and climate goals across its programs, and incorporate sustainability and emphasize “plant-forward” diets in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Arizona Bill Would Enable Labeling of Animal Products as “MRNA FREE”

Arizona House Bill 2406 would permit aquaculture, livestock, and poultry products made from animals who did not receive a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccination to be labeled as “MRNA FREE.” The bill also would amend an existing statutory provision to clarify that the provision “does not authorize [state officials] to require or administer a[n mRNA] vaccine that has not received full approval from” the federal government. The bill has not yet been referred to a committee.