This year’s Iowa legislature approved a new ag protection law that was watered down from previous attempts that couldn’t survive court challenges. Iowa Pork Producers Association President Mike Paustian says this is needed as a matter of food safety and is a good trespass prevention measure.

He thinks this legislation will hold up and really isn’t what some call an Ag Gag law.

Paustian says as long as visitors call ahead and then follow proper bio security, they’re usually welcome on farms and ranches. He also says often times those who are caught trespassing reoffend and just cause more problems.

Paustian says most pork producers have gone through pork quality assurance training and also practice the WE CARE principles as outlined by the National Pork Producers Council where they care humanely for their animals.