Protecting responsible livestock producers

To the Editor,

     I realize farming and especially large-scale hog and cattle operations tend to be sacred cows in Iowa. With that said, there are those of us who live in the state who are not farmers. We should have as many rights to our “comfortable use and enjoyment of our real property” as well.

     What about those things that are not considered “real property?” Are we non-farmers no longer entitled to safe air quality or conditions that don’t harm a person’s health without having to sue to get limited compensation?

     Who is there to weigh the conditions that exist as to if they are “prudent and GENERALLY utilized management practices” and where is that outlined in the law?

     The facts remain; there is little consideration for those who producers and Jones County farmer legislators feel are simply “nuisance suits.” This law combined with the farm “water quality” bills favor those who would have us believe they bear no responsibility as farmers. They must feel they are in a favored class needing protection for what they do that is short sighted and often harmful to much of the planet as well as their neighbors.

Steve Hanken

Monticello, Iowa