Maine's Senate Agriculture Committee has passed a preliminary proposal to increase the petfood tax by 1%. If signed into law, petfood in Maine would be taxed 6% as opposed to 5% for most other products.

The Washington D.C.-based  Pet Food Institute  issued a statement saying, "PFI will mount a major effort to mobilize consumers, retailers, pet groups, business groups and others to fight this."

The bill is scheduled for a vote in the state Senate followed by a House vote. An outcome on the proposal is expected by the end of June.