Protecting Food. Empowering Whistleblowers.
Protecting Food. Empowering Whistleblowers.
Good news emerged last week regarding Idaho’s anti-whistleblower Ag Gag law. U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill is allowing most of the challenges against the law to move forward.
FIC submitted an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit seeking to overturn the Ag Gag law, which aims to silence agriculture industry whistleblowers. We’re glad to see that most of the concerns addressed in the lawsuit will not be dismissed, including its First Amendment claim stating that the law restricts protected speech.
The Court also concluded that the law presents the dilemma of choosing between complying with a section of the law and “risking prosecution under the challenged provision by engaging in whistleblower conduct it says federal law explicitly encourages and protects.”
In March of this year, Idaho became the first state to pass an Ag Gag bill since 2012. This was a disappointing blow, but we refused to give up the fight. This court ruling is very encouraging. Share the good news on Facebook and follow us on social media for future updates. You can also sign our petition to stop all Ag Gag bills and help build the culture of truth-telling!
Sarah Damian is Communications Manager of the Food Integrity Campaign.