‘Ag Gag’ bill passes legislature, headed to governor; opponents predict dire consequences
The Iowa House and Senate today approved the so-called “ag gag bill” that critics say will unfairly prosecute animal-abuse whistleblowers and ultimately derail the integrity and safety of the state’s food industry.
The bill now goes to Gov. Terry Branstad, whose signature would make it law. The Senate substantially altered the legislation that was debated at length last year before approving it Tuesday afternoon on a a 40-10 vote. Later in the day, the House took up the bill, adopted the Senate’s changes without debate and approved it on a 69-28 vote.
“I just think this is incredibly bad public policy for a nonexistent problem that is being worked across the country by big ag that doesn’t want to play by the rules and has had it their way for a long time,” said Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines.
House File 589 as passed by the House last year would’ve barred undercover videotaping at farms or other animal operations, and would’ve been the nation’s toughest legislation restricting undercover operations.
More...http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2012/02/28/iowa-senate-approves-ag-gag-bill-opponents-predict-dire-consequences/
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