05/20/05 Governor signs Right to Farm law

05/20/05 Governor signs Right to Farm law

Washington Ag May 20, 2005 The Washington Farm Bureau hopes legislation signed this week by Governor Christine Gregoire will deter people from filing frivolous lawsuits against farmers and ranchers for conducting traditional agricultural practices. Such suits can be expensive and time consuming. Dean Boyer, Farm Bureau spokesman, says population growth has led to encroachment on agriculture, creating conflicts, which can result in nuisance lawsuits against producers. He says farmers usually always win these suits but up to now have not be able to recover the costs of defending themselves.. Boyer: "The first section of this Right to Farm bill would allow farmers to recover their costs of defending themselves against frivolous, nuisance lawsuits. The second part of this bill would allow the farmers to recover costs and damages if they successfully defend themselves against a complaint that they were violating a specific law." Says the Clean Water Act for example. Boyer says this law also requires property owners selling land within one mile of a farm to inform prospective buyers that a farm is nearby. Boyer: "And there might be these usual and protected agricultural practices that can create dust, noise, odors etc." I'm Bob Hoff. .
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