The Bill

H.R.243 - Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Farm Animals Act

Bill Details

• Sponsored by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) on Jan. 10, 2023
• Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on Jan. 10, 2023.
• House and Senate: Not yet voted
• President: Not yet signed

Bill Overview

• Every year, millions of animals die during extreme weather events. In 2018, nearly 5.5 million farm animals died during hurricanes Florence and Michael alone.
• Since 2008, over $500 million in taxpayer money has been spent to compensate farmers for losses incurred during disasters under programs like the Emergency Loan Program and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). These programs don’t require claimants to prove that they took steps to protect their animals.
• This bill will change that. It will require farmers and producers to take meaningful steps to protect their animals from weather-related deaths prior to receiving tax-payer compensation.

What's in the Bill?

Revises disaster assistance program and creates accountability for animal welfare

• The bill amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to require producers to establish disaster preparedness plans to be eligible for certain disaster assistance programs.

Requires meat producers and farmers to establish disaster preparedness plans before a disaster

• Will make contingency plans for animal welfare mandatory.
• Claimants will have to prove that they put the plan into effect when claiming assistance.

What Supporters are Saying

• Rep. Cohen said:

"[A]s we continue to adapt to a rapidly changing climate, emergency planning requirements are necessary to help ensure farmers are prepared, financial losses are reduced, and farm animals are protected."

Demand your reps take action on animal welfare

—Emma Kansiz & Josh Herman