[OKC] FW: Committee Votes to Streamline Livestock Regulations

[Shauna Struby]

fyi

 

From: Ray Carter [mailto:carterra at okhouse.gov] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 5:31 PM
To: Ray Carter
Subject: Committee Votes to Streamline Livestock Regulations

 



 

Oklahoma House of Representatives

Media Division

February 11, 2009

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: State Rep. Don Armes

Capitol: (405) 557-7307

 

Committee Votes to Streamline Livestock Regulations

 

OKLAHOMA CITY - State lawmakers voted today to streamline regulation of
livestock operations in Oklahoma and prevent radical groups from wreaking
havoc with a vital state industry.

            House Bill 2151, by state Rep. Don Armes, would simplify
regulation of livestock producers by making the state the single-source
regulator in Oklahoma (other than the federal government).

            The bill would eliminate the compliance problems created by
patchwork-quilt regulation while also preventing fringe groups from imposing
excessive regulations through local ordinances, Armes said.

            "Unfortunately, there's been a trend of over-reach by fringe
groups who don't know much about animals, agriculture production, or the
free market, yet still feel the need to impose their version of 'animal
Nirvana' on local farmers and ranchers through arbitrary regulations," said
Armes, R-Faxon. "This bill will simply ensure that livestock regulations are
developed by experts at the state level who know what they're doing."

            One recent example of regulatory overload occurred last fall in
California, where a ballot question actually created new regulations on the
size of pens for egg-laying hens, veal calves, and pregnant sows.

            Armes noted many urban voters have little practical knowledge of
agriculture or animal welfare.

            "Let's be honest: The majority of people in San Francisco
probably think the chicken just magically appears ready to eat next to the
arugula and tofu in the grocery aisle," Armes said. "In a place like
Oklahoma, where there are literally more cattle than people and agriculture
production generates billions of dollars in gross state product, it just
makes sense to have trained experts making regulatory decisions."

            House Bill 2151 passed out of the House Agriculture and Rural
Development Committee today and now proceeds to the floor of the Oklahoma
House of Representatives.

            Similar legislation has also advanced in the state Senate.

 

To view video of Rep. Don Armes discussing this legislation, go to
www.okhouse.tv.

-30-

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