Senate Bill 105 is right for Kentucky agriculture

 

 

Commissioner Richie Farmer

 

In this space a few weeks ago, I wrote that the threat of so-called “animal rights activists” was one of the biggest challenges Kentucky’s livestock farmers would face in 2010. Legislation in the Kentucky General Assembly would address this challenge.

 

Senate Bill 105 would establish the Kentucky Livestock Standards Commission, which would have the authority to develop standards for caring for livestock on Kentucky farms. Farmers are the best judges of how livestock should be cared for, and this board would consist of representatives from all areas of animal agricultural. Any standards they would set would be based not on emotion but on science and widely accepted practices.

 

This board would not intrude upon the authority of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission or the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners, nor would it pre-empt local zoning ordinances. It would have the authority to promulgate regulations for uniform statewide guidelines for livestock care.

 

Most important, it would head off an unwanted intrusion by out-of-state activists into the operations of Kentucky farms. That’s why I think it’s the right thing to do. Please join me in supporting passage of Senate Bill 105.