Agricultural News
Constitutional Amendment to Protect Agriculture Industry Clears Committee
Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:43:26 CST
A measure from a House lawmaker intending to protect the rights of Oklahoma farmers and ranchers to engage in and utilize modern and traditional agriculture practices has passed out of the House Rules Committee.
House Joint Resolution 1006, by Rep. Scott Biggs, passed the committee on a 6-1 vote. It now proceeds to the House Calendar Committee, which will determine if the measure will be heard by the full body of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Rep. Biggs' legislation would amend the constitution to protect "the rights of farmers and ranchers to engage in modern farming and ranching practices" and would prevent any state law or regulation that would " the right of farmers and ranchers to employ agricultural technology and modern livestock production and ranching practices."
Biggs, a member of the House Agriculture and Wildlife Committee who grew up on a farm in Indiana and studied agriculture economics at Oklahoma State University, said the amendment is necessary to protect the agriculture industry in Oklahoma from outside special interest and activist groups.
"I am pleased that this bill passed out of committee," said Biggs, R-Chickasha. "Farming and ranching are vital parts of society, especially here in Oklahoma. Our way of life here is under attack from activist groups who really have no idea how we foster our land or the animals on it. Farmers and ranchers have been environmentalists from the start and they care more for the land and animals than anyone else.
"Inserting this natural right into our state constitution will protect our land and our way of life for generations to come."
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