A proposal for a “right to farm” constitutional amendment appears headed for debate in Nebraska’s unicameral legislature, says the Lincoln Journal-Star. The sponsor, state Sen. John Kuehn, a veterinarian, says the amendment would protect the state’s largest industry from environmentalists, animal-rights activists and other groups. If adopted by a statewide referendum, it would bar new limits on farming and ranching in Nebraska without showing “compelling state interest.” Farm groups generally favor the proposal, said the Journal-Star.
Oklahomans will vote on Nov. 8 on a “right to farm” amendment to the state constitution that is backed by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and opposed by the Humane Society of the United States. Two other states have adopted “right to farm” amendments — Missouri in 2014 and North Dakota in 2012. Both were backed by their state farm bureaus, says Ballotpedia.
The Nebraska legislature’s Agriculture Committee approved the “right to farm” proposal in a turnaround vote on Wednesday after rejecting it on Tuesday, said the Associated Press. Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, a committee member, said he would filibuster the amendment. “Chambers, an outspoken animal welfare advocate, noted that Nebraska’s measure was copied from Oklahoma’s ‘right to farm’ proposal and argued that it has no place in the state constitution,” said AP. The proposal sent to the full legislature would allow the state and local governments to continue to regulate groundwater, would not affect laws passed before 2016 or state laws passed to comply with federal environmental rules.
Kuehn, the sponsor of the proposal, “said it could ensure that no one tries to outlaw genetically modified organisms, antibiotics for farm animals, pesticides for crops, and other common farming practices,” said AP.