Lawmakers in Kentucky and Indiana want to add “farming” to the list of pursuits their citizens have a right to enjoy. However, environmental advocates say the measures impede the ability of state regulators to protect the states from environmental damage from farms.
Both Kentucky and Indiana already have “Right to Farm” statutes. Among other things, these laws prevent farmers from being sued by neighbors for nuisance odors. The new legislation would take things a step further.
“What this constitutional provision would do would enshrine it and elevate that right to a protected right that’s on par with our right to vote, freedom of religion," argues Kim Ferraro, an attorney with the Hoosier Environmental Council.
Ferraro says by giving farming those protections, it’ll make it very difficult to impose any regulations on agriculture in the future.
If the legislation passes in either Indiana or Kentucky, it will be on the ballot for voter approval in 2016.