This new cow law is a perfect bull.
Big Apple state legislators want to limit the number of cattle on their dairy farms with the latest green push. This is a proposal that argues that the enemy will cripple the industry.
The law involving members of American democratic socialists would prohibit new or expanding dairy farms from reaching or exceeding 700 cattle, proponents said it would improve the environment and help small family farms across the empire.
The law limits the number of cattle to 700 for new or expanding farms. Annie Welmiel/New York Post
However, the proposed Moo-ve caused upper and lower classes of beef between rural and urban lawmakers, according to sources close to the Democratic leadership.
“Let’s be clear. This bill has no meaning,” Sen. Mark Walchik (R-Jefferson) said in a statement.
“By limiting the expansion of dairy farms, we are undermining farmers who have already succeeded in an incredibly challenging industry. Why are New York City councillors trying to build the duties of farmers in rural communities?
Among the bill’s supporters are a pair of DSA lawmakers. State Sen. Jabari Brisport (D-Brooklyn) and state legislator Emily Gallagher (D-Brooklyn) and Sen. Brad Hoyleman Cigal (D-Manhattan)
Left-handed lawmakers argue that large factory farms granted enriched animal farming permits cause many environmental issues, including waterways and fertilizers that run into greenhouse gases.
Blisport says the law helps the environment and small farms. Katie Godowski / Mediapunch / Shutterstock
They also claim that the vast dairy farms are damaging smaller family farms.
“Factory agriculture is taking over rapidly in New York, causing dangerous water and air pollution. We must stop the uncontrollable growth of these industrial megafarms,” Blisport said in a statement.
The senator said the state lost about two-thirds of family-sized dairy products between 2002 and 2022 due to an increase in factory agriculture.
A bill that does not force farms to lose cattle they already have is unlikely to clean up state senators and legislatures.
Rosenthal is leading the charges in Parliament. lev radin / shutterstock
The governor’s office declined to comment on the law.
Critics argue that Brisport and Rosenthal (the two sponsors of the bill) do not understand how agriculture and emerging agriculture work.
“Our family-run, sometimes women-owned farms take great pride in caring for our land, animals and communities,” Jefferson County Agricultural Coordinator Jay Mattson said in a statement provided by the Walczyk office.
“Many of these farms provide important incomes to minorities and underprivileged people.”
GOP House MP Elise Stefanik has turned his eyes to the governor’s run but has called for legislation.
Stefanik called the proposal “Ali Farm Building,” and Democrat Blake Gendevien, a farmer in St. Lawrence County, complained, “Dem in New York City won’t get farming.”
Walczyk said city state legislators should focus on five boroughs.
“Our farmers deserve support, not disability,” he said. “This law completely drives farms out of New York.”
