[OKC] FW: [ok-sus] Between the Lines of Animal Agri. Legislation

[Moore, Michelle (PLIC, SALES)]

Imagine the surprise in knowing that state Rep. Don Armes is a rancher
himself! 
 

________________________________

From: okc-bounces at sustainableokc.org
[mailto:okc-bounces at sustainableokc.org] On Behalf Of Shauna Struby
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 10:31 AM
To: okfoodret at yahoogroups.com; SOKC list serv
Subject: [OKC] FW: [ok-sus] Between the Lines of Animal Agri.
Legislation



fyi

 

From: ok-sus-bounces at lists.oksustainability.org
[mailto:ok-sus-bounces at lists.oksustainability.org] On Behalf Of Harlan
Hentges
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 9:33 AM
To: ok-sus at lists.oksustainability.org
Subject: [ok-sus] Between the Lines of Animal Agri. Legislation

 

 Oklahoman's who live near feedlots are literally breathing manure dust
daily and literally drinking groundwater contaminated with nitrates from
manure.  I have personally breathed the dust and drank the water.
Meanwhile, some legislators are attempting to pass laws that those
citizens cannot seek help from their local governments or even the
courts.  I believe these efforts deserve condemnation in the strongest
terms because they damage Oklahoman's health and land purely for
out-of-state economic interests.   

 

 

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 (LIKE
FARMERS WHO DON'T LIKE MANURE IN THEIR WATER AND MANURE DUST IN THEIR
HOUSES AND IN THEIR LUNGS?) 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 (I THOUGHT POWER
WAS TO RESIDE IN THE PEOPLE NOT IN 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 (OTHER THAN MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES, HOW
MANY FARMS ARE LARGE ENOUGH TO BE IN MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS?) while also
preventing fringe groups (LIKE CONSUMERS WHO DON'T WANT FOOD FROM
ANIMALS RAISED IN THEIR OWN FILTH?) from imposing excessive regulations
through local ordinances,  (WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT BEING
MOST RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE?) 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  (Hee, hee, hee, HE THINKS THAT A MARKET DOMINATED BE
THREE MULTINATIONALS IS  A "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." (LIVE NEXT TO FEEDLOT WITH
20,000 HEAD OF FEEDER CATTLE AND TELL ME HOW THAT's BEEN WORKING SO
FAR?)

                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.  (OH NO !! DIRECT DEMOCRACY AT WORK.... WE CAN'T HAVE
THAT)

                Armes noted many urban voters have little practical
knowledge of agriculture or animal welfare. (HE MIGHT WANT TO ACTUALLY
VISIT WITH SOME URBAN VOTERS INSTEAD OF ASSUMING THEY ARE IGNORANT)

                "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.  (ANY
EMPIRICAL DATA ON WHAT PEOPLE ACTUALLY KNOW OR DID HE JUST MAKE THAT
UP?)

 

 "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."  (PERHAPS ARMES DOESN'T RECALL THE WORDS OF
RONALD REAGAN "THE SCARIEST WORDS EVER SPOKEN ARE "I AM HERE FROM THE
GOVERNMENT AND I'M HERE TO HELP.)

                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. (I HAD SO HOPED THAT WHEN The REPUBLICANS CAME TO POWER IN OK.
THEY WOULD BEHAVE LIKE LEADERS INSTEAD OF LIKE TEENAGERS WHO FOUND THE
KEY TO THE LIQUOR CABINET).

 

.

 Harlan Hentges

************************************************************
This communication, including attachments, is for the exclusive use of addressee and may contain proprietary, confidential and/or privileged information.  If you are not the intended recipient, any use, copying, disclosure, dissemination or distribution is strictly prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this communication and destroy all copies.
************************************************************
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.sustainableokc.org/pipermail/okc-sustainableokc.org/attachments/20090213/95ec333f/attachment.htm>