02.21.20
Today, the deadline in Iowa to move policy bills out of committee (the ‘funnel’) came and went without the General Assembly taking bold action against destructive and unwanted factory farms despite stronger support than ever for factory farm moratorium legislation.
Factory farms produce more than 108 billion pounds of manure per year in Iowa causing widespread water contamination and diminished quality of life throughout the state.
This year, bills to enact a legislative “moratorium on new and expanded factory farms” were introduced in both the House and the Senate. Over 100 groups released a letter earlier this week expressing support for a moratorium bill, and a poll by John Hopkins found 63% of Iowa residents also support a factory farm moratorium.
“While the General Assembly may have failed to deliver the goods this year, there is no doubt that the bills moved further than ever expected. As awareness builds and the impacts of factory farming become more widespread, support will only continue to grow,” said Emma Schmit from Food & Water Action. “Right now, our legislators are simply procrastinating on the inevitable: Iowa will stop factory farming or we will pay for it with our water, communities, and future.”
“At CCI Action we know that real change happens from the ground up. Every day Iowans know that clean water is a basic right and that a moratorium on factory farms is the first step toward a better food and farm system,” said Ava Auen-Ryan, an Iowa CCI Action member and organizer. “With 63% of Iowa voters now supporting a moratorium, we will continue to build grassroots support and hold elected officials accountable to the needs of people and our planet. Not to the interests and profits of corporate ag and the factory farm industry.”
