Right to Farm: Voters May Decide

Voters in Oklahoma soon may decide to amend their state constitution to assure that its legislature cannot, without a compelling state interest, pass a law limiting the rights of residents of Oklahoma to farm.

Oklahoma, like every other state in the union, has a Right to Farm law. The intent of such laws is to discourage legal complaints against farmers for nature-of-the-business inconveniences such as dust or noise.

The language in the proposed amendment seeks to “protect agriculture as a vital sector of Oklahoma’s economy” and says the “rights of citizens and lawful residents of Oklahoma to engage in farming and ranching practices shall be forever guaranteed in this state.”

State Rep. Scott Biggs (R) is the bill’s author. He describes it as a bill to protect the interests of state residents. “Right now we have a lot of outside interest from California and the East Coast regarding agriculture, and this is a way to make sure Oklahomans decide what’s best for Oklahomans.”

Among the bill’s opponents is the United States Humane Society.

“We don’t need to give blanket constitutional protection to an entire industry,” said Cynthia Armstrong, Oklahoma director for HSUS. “This bill isn’t about protecting Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. It’s about protecting big agriculture.”

The House joint resolution passed the Senate Rules Committee last week and had already passed the House of Representatives. The Senate committee, however, rejected an amendment to put the question on the primary election ballot in June 2016.  S