Letters submitted by BDN readers are verified by BDN Opinion Page staff. Send your letters to letters@bangordailynews.com
Fresh Eggs Daily was founded on a deep respect for animals, the land, and the people who depend on both. As founder, a fifth-generation chicken keeper, and a Maine Master Gardener, I have spent more than a decade helping chicken keepers raise healthier flocks through responsible, humane practices.
Federal legislation known as the Save Our Bacon Act and Food Security and Farm Protection Act threatens responsible farmers. Smaller-scale producers rely on state agricultural laws that reflect local values and support animal welfare, food safety, and consumer choice. These bills would override those laws, lowering food standards and limiting the ability of states like Maine to protect animal health, farmers, and consumers.
Chicken keepers — from backyard flock owners to small farms — have invested time and resources into improving flock health, maintaining humane living conditions, and producing healthy food. This legislation would undermine those efforts by favoring large industrial operations that prioritize scale and profit over animal welfare and community resilience.
We should strengthen, not dismantle, laws that support humane farming and consumer choice. I urge Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and Rep. Jared Golden to oppose the Save Our Bacon Act and Food Security and Farm Protection Act.
Lisa Steele
Freeport