Food Producers of Idaho says removing all regulation endangers industry

By SEAN ELLIS

Capital Press

BOISE -- The sponsor of a bill that would encourage local farm economies by removing state regulations has asked lawmakers for more time to work on it in the face of opposition from Idaho's largest farm groups.

House Bill 431 would allow for an uninhibited relationship between farmers and consumers and promote food self-sufficiency for local communities, said its sponsor, Rep. Phil Hart, R-Hayden.

Moments before the House Agricultural Affairs Committee was ready to hold a public hearing on the proposed Idaho Farm Freedom Act Feb. 6, Hart asked the committee to hold the bill until next week.

"I would like to see smaller communities have agricultural economies that (make them) more economically viable," Hart told about 30 supporters who gathered in the committee room to discuss the bill after the meeting. "I think it would be to our benefit if we have strong local agricultural communities."

Hart said the intent of his bill is to "encourage relationships between consumers and farmers and allow that relationship (to flourish) without any regulations governing them."

The bill would impact farmers with less than $250,000 in gross annual sales or less than $100,000 in gross annual profit who sell their product only at farmers' markets, roadside stands or by home-based sales directly to the consumer.

These producers would be exempt from licensing requirements under the proposed law.

Marsing farmer Cindy McClaskey said the bill could be a big help to small farmers who can't afford extra regulatory expenses.

"We're making so little now ... we don't need the extra expense," she said.

Hart asked to hold the bill after committee members were given a letter from Food Producers of Idaho opposing the legislation on the grounds it could harm the reputation of farmers' markets in the state and damage Idaho's buy local movement.

Members of FPI, which represents more than 40 different commodity and farm groups in the state, argue the bill would remove important measures that protect consumers.

"If food sold at a farmers' market causes a foodborne illness and makes a patron sick, it may have the opposite effect and cause people to stop shopping at markets," the FPI letter stated.

The Idaho Dairymen's Association also presented lawmakers with a letter opposing the bill. The group believes it would eliminate protections for consumers and the state's dairy industry.

Hart said he plans to bring his bill back next week after meeting with major commodity groups.

"If consumers are aware of this, you will get a lot of consumer support," Josie Erskin, president of Boise's main farmers' market, told Hart.

But Erskin also said that while she supports the concept of the bill and believes it could benefit farmers' markets, she wouldn't support it "if it puts any other part of Idaho agriculture in harm."