54 Groups Urge Congress: Don’t Use COVID-19 Funds to Prop Up Factory Farms

Brighter Green, the Center for Biological Diversity, and more than 50 other organizations, called on Congress to prevent factory farms from receiving COVID-19 relief and stimulus funds.

Noting that industrial animal agriculture is a major pollution source and “a significant contributor to climate disruption,” the groups also urged lawmakers to oppose efforts to waive environmental regulations for big meat and dairy operations during the pandemic.

“COVID-19 stimulus packages shouldn’t be used as yet another bailout for industrial animal agriculture,” said Stephanie Feldstein of the Center for Biological Diversity. “Polluting factory farms threaten our food security and degrade the environment. Congress must not hand this destructive, unsustainable industry another blank check.”

Signed into law March 26, the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) stimulus package includes $23.5 billion for agriculture. In their letter the Center and other groups pressed Congress to direct these funds toward small and mid-size farmers producing fruits, vegetables and other climate-compatible plant-based foods.

You can read the full letter here and the press release here.