A bipartisan group of California lawmakers is asking Congressional leaders to remove an amendment to the federal Farm Bill. Opponents claim the "King Amendment" would nullify dozens of California laws that regulate food and animal welfare.
Opponents said state laws that restrict the trade of shark fins, ban foie gras, and regulate hens in the egg-laying industry would all be at risk if the King amendment is not stricken.
"This amendment if it went forward would cause federal preemption issues for any future California legislation. I mean it's outrageous how far this amendment goes," said Jennifer Fearing, California Director for the Humane Society.
Thirty-five California lawmakers signed the letter to House leaders. The amendment is part of the House version of the Farm Bill, not the Senate's version.
It's named after its sponsor, Republican Rep. Steve King of Iowa. Iowa is the largest egg-producing state in the nation.
