To the editor:

All Kansans should be extremely concerned about the King Amendment (H.R. 4879), which was included in the farm bill passed by the U.S. House last week. It was introduced by Rep. Steve King, of Iowa, even though it violates the 10th Amendment by seeking to undermine the authority of states to pass laws to protect the promotion of local agriculture, food safety, consumer safety, labor protections, etc.

The King Amendment aims to block states from setting basic standards on the production or manufacturing of agricultural products (which is broadly defined) that are sold within their own borders, including how animals are raised. It takes a lowest-common-denominator approach in that if any one state tolerates the way a particular agricultural product is manufactured or produced, no matter how hazardous or unacceptable, every other state could be forced do so as well. Furthermore, this legislation threatens laws already enacted by state legislators and citizen ballot measures on a wide range of concerns including puppy mills, the sale of horse, dog and cat meat, eggs from battery-caged hens, shark finning and more. This amendment could also subvert hundreds of state and local measures addressing food safety, food labeling, environmental requirements, child labor, etc. Over 200 groups oppose the King Amendment.

As a state well known for quality agricultural products, Kansans should be strongly opposing the King Amendment by contacting Sen. Pat Roberts and asking him to not include the King Amendment in the final version of the farm bill. He needs to hear from us, his constituents, today!