Legislators say it could be tougher to get a livestock regulation bill next year

Two lawmakers who were key in putting together the legislature’s livestock regulation bill say Iowa farmers would be wise to let the new regulations pass. More than 200 members of the Iowa Farm Bureau recently went to the statehouse to lobby against the bill. Republican Jerry Behn is chair of the Senate Ag Committee. He says changes in the makeup of the legislature next year brought on by re-districting could lead to even tougher regulations. The Boone farmer is one of twelve lawmakers who put together the new regulations. Behn says the chances of passing a bill that’s balanced are better this year. Democratic representative Bill Witt of Cedar Falls says these regulations will save the pork industry in the long run. Witt says the state has to restore public confidence in the industry by addressing some of the social issues involved. Witt says it’ll be hard to get a consensus on the bill next year. Behn and Witt made their comments during taping of the Iowa Public T-V program “Iowa Press.” The livestock regulation bill could come up for debate in the Senate next week.