U.S. House Votes to Reject Attack on Checkoffs

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly rejected an attack on federal commodity checkoff programs. Two Republican proponents argued the famer-funded research and promotion programs fail to fully disclose how the revenue is spent by the programs and they sought to have USDA barred from operating the programs.

GOP Reps. Victoria Spartz of Indiana and Tom Massie of Kentucky led the attack on checkoff programs, but their efforts convinced only 13% of their colleagues as the amendment failed 49-377.

The House also rejected an amendment that would bar USDA from requiring electronic tracking of cattle.

Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., sought to bar USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service from requiring electronic IDs for cattle and bison. That amendment failed, 97-336.

Speaking to defend the checkoffs and the animal ID plan, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., argued the anti-checkoff proposal was led by animal rights activists that ultimately want to reduce consumption of animal products.

“These programs are voluntarily created by producers, for producers, and they don't receive taxpayer dollars for any of their activities, or for USDA oversight of their activities,” Thompson said.

Regarding the animal ID plan, Thompson said that “traceability resources are paramount when dealing with an animal disease outbreak.”