The Iowa Legislature has passed a new Ag Protection or Ag Gag Law and sent it to the Governor. The earlier statute was challenged by environmentalists in court where it was declared unconstitutional and is now under appeal. Iowa Pork Producers Association CEO Pat McGonegle says the new measure that creates a trespass charge for undercover investigators on farms is positive and needed legislation,
He says the kind of protection called for in the new legislation is important for pork producers trying to prevent African Swine Fever. McGonegle also says Iowa lawmakers were careful in crafting the bill to make sure it will hold up legally.
McGonegle says Iowa’s livestock industry as a whole supports the new Ag Protection Law and worked for its passage.
A spokesman for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, one of the groups that challenged the previous Ag Protection law says they are prepared to file another lawsuit against the state if necessary.
