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.
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