Fighting back against anti-ag ‘shenanigans’

By Mason City Globe Gazette

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Iowa lawmakers are positioning the state to fight back against those who would illegally disparage its overwhelmingly good name in agricultural practices.

Committees in both the House and Senate have approved measures that would create criminal and civil penalties for anyone convicted of tampering with or interfering with property associated with a livestock or crop operation. That means, in large part, anti-ag individuals or members of groups who seek employment under false pretenses so they can film livestock-related activities in hopes of hurting the industry's image.

Also prohibited would be committing fraud by obtaining access to ag operations by supplying false information.

Penalties would range from an aggravated misdemeanor up to a 10-year term for a tampering conviction related to damaging property, committing theft, killing or injuring an animal or crop, or disrupting operations that result in more than a $100,000 loss for the owner.

Hold on, says the Humane Society of the United Sates. It calls this approach flawed and an attempt to silence whistleblowers who expose animal cruelty while keeping problems secret rather than correcting them.

No way, say supporters of the bill. They say there are too many incidents where animal-rights groups or others have produced “gotcha” videos depicting supposedly inhumane conditions - some which they claim have been staged.

“I think the intent of the bill is spot on,” said Rep. Brian Quirk, (D-New Hampton). “These people need to be dealt with. They're terrorists and this is wrong. These producers' rights are being trampled when they're taken advantage of in this way. If we can clamp down on this kind of practice, I think it is warranted.”

Certainly, we abhor abuse of animals and understand why organizations with good intentions might be concerned. Iowa ag is so well-operated overall that we're surprised when something wayward does happen.

Livestock business operator Rep. Annette Sweeney, (R-Alden), said the bills would keep anyone who works in a livestock facility on the “up and up, because we value our animals.”

Sen. Sandy Greiner, (R-Keota), said the measure doesn't go far enough, and said it should apply to county fairs, rodeos and other situations involving livestock.

“We have people who will go to those extremes and personally abuse animals in order to make a point and try to bring an industry down,” she said. “Something has to be done to stop it.”

We believe lawmakers have a good start here. If abuse incidents become problematic outside the limits of these proposed laws, they can be expanded.

For now, though, Iowa is sending a clear message:

“We don't,” said Greiner, “tolerate those kinds of shenanigans.”