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Iowa poultry official defends ‘undercover video’ bill

Just how important is the animal facility legislation—the so-called ‘undercover video’ bill—in the Iowa legislature?

The CEO of the Iowa Poultry Association, Kevin Vinchattle, calls it “a defining issue on the future of agriculture.

“I very, very strongly feel that people involved in farming need to be protected from those that would misrepresent themselves to get hired with the purpose of doing something that’s not good for a farming operation,” says Vinchattle.

The legislation would make it a criminal offense to gain employment on farms or in processing facilities—under false pretense—for the purpose of shooting undercover video or other activities.  Vinchattle says animal rights groups that oppose the bill have tried to mischaracterize it as an attempt to stifle free speech and discourage whistle blowers.

“What it does do is provide protections—or provide an avenue for people to pursue, if you will—when somebody knowingly misrepresents themselves in the employment process with the intent of coming there and either damaging or destroying things—and potentially spreading diseases,” he says.

Or later releasing a video, Vinchattle says, “which, in fact, may not accurately represent what really goes on in a facility.”

The bill has passed the Iowa House and is now being considered in the Iowa Senate.

AUDIO: Kevin Vinchattle (6:30 MP3)

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