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Iowa Pork Producers disappointed in ‘ag gag’ ruling

A spokesman for the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) says they’re disappointed the state’s so-called “ag gag” law has been overturned.

Drew Mogler says it’s hard to say how much impact the law really had in discouraging undercover investigations of livestock facilities. But he says there have been fewer of them since the law was passed in 2012.

“We haven’t really seen a lot of these undercover videos pop up in recent years, and so you could give credit to the legislation for that,” Mogler says. “But I also think farmers are just doing a really good job of being mindful and watchful and vigilant when it comes to hiring employees on their farms—making sure that the folks they’ve got providing care and comfort are there with best intentions.”

An attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund says undercover investigations could pick up again. Matthew Liebman says the “ag gag” was effective in stifling investigations.

“They (activists) weren’t willing to put their investigators at risk of going to prison,” Liebman says. “So now that this law is no longer an obstacle, I think we could expect to start seeing undercover investigations in Iowa.”

IPPA’s Mogler says they’ll be evaluating their options on a possible appeal of the ruling. But in the meantime, he says, “Iowa Pork Producers and the industry will fight those who try to destroy or attack our livelihoods. We’ll take that on one case at a time, if necessary.”

AUDIO: Drew Mogler