Victory! Minnesota's "Ag-Gag" Law Dies

There's a dangerous trend happening in states across the United States. But this fad won't hit Minnesota — not anymore, that is.

Proposed "ag-gag" laws have been cropping up in states across the U.S., from Florida to Iowa to New York. These bills make it illegal to produce or distribute undercover footage of agricultural operations, preventing folks from taking photographs or video of what goes on behind factory farm doors. Not only do these kinds of bills violate First Amendment rights, they stymie the whistleblowing that has historically exposed the laundry list of health, food safety, and animal welfare violations that regularly occur on factory farms.

But an "ag-gag" law won't be instituted in Minnesota, thanks to sustainable foodies, animal welfare supporters, and Change.org members. After more than 700 Change.org members signed a petition asking Minnesota lawmakers to block SF 1118 and HF 1369 — the House and senate versions of "ag-gag" bills — Congress members let the legislation die without even bringing it up for a hearing.

The bill's blockage is a significant win for sustainable foodies, especially because Minnesota's legislation was one of the most egregious "ag-gag" laws ever proposed. As Grist's Tom Laskawy recently reported, Minnesota's "ag-gag" bill was created by lawmakers with direct ties to Big Ag, including the communications director for a factory pig farm and a livestock farmer, among others. Plus, Minnesota's law would not only have made it illegal to produce and distribute undercover factory farm footage, it would penalize those in possession of that footage. That means food and animal welfare groups like the Humane Society of the U.S. could come under fire for the valuable work they do in bringing factory farms' dirty dealings to light.

The death of Minnesota's "ag-gag" law is certainly a big win, but our work isn't done yet: "Ag-gag" laws continue to pop up as frequently as critters in a Whack-A-Mole game. To really protect our food system and safeguard the health of consumers and farm animals, we've got to keep taking out these bills one by one.

Iowa's "ag-gag" law will likely be the next bill to come up for a vote. Take action now, and sign our petition asking Iowa's House and Senate to vote against HF 589.

Photo credit: CALM Action via Flickr