VOA慢速英语2021--缅因州居民将对食物权进行投票

Maine Residents Will Vote on Food Rights

Voters in the American state of Maine decide next week if all its people should be permitted to grow food crops and raise farm animals, or livestock¹. Supporters of the "right to food" constitutional amendment² say it will put people in control of how and what they eat. Opponents argue it will endanger the state's animals and food supplies, and turn city neighborhoods into cow fields.

The vote is set for November 2.

Most food produced in the U.S. comes from commercial farms. Private citizens who want to grow their own food usually live in rural areas. Laws like the one being considered in Maine permit people to grow their own food – including cows and chickens – on their property.

Ron Faulkingham is a Maine state lawmaker and a fisherman. He says big businesses control too much of the food supply in the U.S.

"We want to protect people's ability to grow gardens, grow and raise their own food," he said.

People who do not think the law is a good idea say the food supply needs safety rules. Julie Anne Smith leads the Maine Farm Bureau, the state's largest special interest group representing the agriculture industry. She argues that the proposed law is, in her words, "so broad and dangerous" it could make the food supply less safe.

That is a problem in a state where potatoes, blueberries, maple³ syrup⁴ and dairy products are all important parts of the economy, she said. The amendment could empower people in the state to buy and eat food that has not been inspected for safety, Smith suggested.

Most Maine towns and cities have rules, called ordinances⁵, that restrict agricultural operations. Smith said she thinks the proposed amendment, if passed, could weaken local ordinances.

But Rep. Faulkingham says local rules would continue to be enforced under the amendment.

The push for people to grow their own food with limited restrictions⁶ is called the food sovereignty movement. Supporters include some owners of small farms and people who seek unprocessed food products, like raw milk. Activists⁷ for limited government, and those opposed to powerful corporate⁸ control of the food supply are also in favor of the amendment.

Right now, Maine does have a law that permits people who own small farms to sell their products directly to people who visit.

There are similar laws in place in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana and North Dakota. People in other states are working for food freedom laws, too.

Critics of the constitutional amendment in Maine say it needs to be narrowed. They argue that passage of the bill, as written, could permit people to raise livestock anywhere in the state. They suggest a future in which cows freely walk the streets of Maine's cities and towns.

But, Heather Retberg says that idea does not demonstrate a true understanding of the proposed amendment. The Maine farmer raises chickens, goats and other livestock on her 40-hectare property in Penobscot.

She argued that the proposal's main purpose is to move control of the food supply from corporations to small communities and individuals. "It gives us more voice in how we want our food systems to be, and how we want our communities to look."

Words in This Story

commercial – adj. related to or used in the buying and selling of goods and services

sovereignity – n. independent authority and the right to govern itself, in this case, related to food choices

voice – n. a right or way to express your wishes, opinions, etc.

1 livestock   

n.家畜，牲畜

参考例句：

• Both men and livestock are flourishing.人畜两旺。
• The heavy rains and flooding killed scores of livestock.暴雨和大水淹死了许多牲口。

2 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

3 maple   

n.槭树，枫树，槭木

参考例句：

• Maple sugar is made from the sap of maple trees.枫糖是由枫树的树液制成的。
• The maple leaves are tinge with autumn red.枫叶染上了秋天的红色。

4 syrup   

n.糖浆，糖水

参考例句：

• I skimmed the foam from the boiling syrup.我撇去了煮沸糖浆上的泡沫。
• Tinned fruit usually has a lot of syrup with it.罐头水果通常都有许多糖浆。

5 ordinances   

n.条例，法令( ordinance的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• These points of view, however, had not been generally accepted in building ordinances. 然而，这些观点仍未普遍地为其他的建筑条例而接受。 来自辞典例句
• Great are Your mercies, O Lord; Revive me according to Your ordinances. 诗119:156耶和华阿、你的慈悲本为大．求你照你的典章将我救活。 来自互联网

6 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

7 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。