“Agriculture Mischief” Bill Introduced In Indiana

This week, during a meeting of the Corrections and Criminal Law Committee, members of Indiana’s agricultural community rose up in support of a bill that is meant to limit trespassing on farmland.

Senate Bill 101 would create a new crime known as “agricultural mischief” and it’s aimed primarily at stopping secret video-graphy and photography of farming operations.

Josh Trenary, executive director of the Indiana Pork Advocacy Coalition, told the Indianapolis Business Journal that the privacy rights of Hoosier farmers have been ignored in the past. “Farmers don’t give up property rights just because they’re a farmer,” Trenary said.

Trenary also said farmers deserve to have control over who enters their property and sees their operations. He also added that the agricultural industry isn’t trying to hide illegal activity or animal abuse.

The committee did not vote Tuesday. It will discuss the bill again at a meeting next week.