In November Oklahoma voters will decide on State Question 777. Supporters are calling the ballot initiative a “right-to-farm” bill, but opponents prefer the term “right-to-harm.”
As StateImpact Oklahoma reports, right-to-farm is a divisive national issue that’s made its way to Oklahoma. The question has pitted pro-agriculture activists against environmentalists and animal-rights activists in a statewide battle for votes.
The ballot question, if it passes, would change the state constitution to give broad protection to the ag industry. The main opponent of the bill is the U.S. Humane Society. The group wants to put a stop to operations that pack poultry and livestock into small cages. The Humane Society would also like tighter restrictionson genetically modified food. On the other side, pro-agricultural organizations say the Humane Society wants to destroy the farm way of life.
Voters in Missouri and North Dakota have already passed similar right-to-farm measures.