Senate Bill 261 would create a special “right” for an “individual” to “grow, raise, produce, harvest, and consume the food that the individual chooses” and bars local governments from using their zoning authority “to prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting the growing or raising of food.” While that language may seem innocuous, factory farms “produce” animals for food and, therefore, could be shielded from local zoning restrictions should SB 261 become law. Factory farms already enjoy unprecedented legal protections and special privileges in Indiana that allow them to cause harm with almost absolute impunity. There is no need to provide this industry with even more special protection.
UPDATE:
SB 261 was assigned to the Senate Agriculture Committee, and it did not advance.