Fwd: Deeply Concerned about HB 63 and ask that you withdraw your sponsorship.

[Chuck Mulholland]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Carter <davi...@aol.com>
Date: Wed, Mar 27, 2013 at 7:31 PM
Subject: Fwd: Deeply Concerned about HB 63 and ask that you withdraw your sponsorship.
To: cemulh...@gmail.com
Cc: nancyv...@yahoo.com

Chuck,

 

    I think this is a bill that all communities should watch.  While I recognize there are some unfair things such as odor complaints, etc.; I do not believe Agriculture should be exempted from all laws and regulations.

 

     The issues should be dealt with individually within the context of the problem.

 

     The bill is pasted below, or available at: 

 

http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis147.nsf/vwLegislation/HB+63/$file/legis.html?open

 

      This could have serious impacts upon any community near agriculture.

 

       The bill was unanimously voted out of the agriculture committee today.  I'd keep an eye on it before it gets momentum.

 

       I guess it will allow the backyard chickens throughout New Castle County now, since raising them is applying "agricultural technology".  Put on your overalls, we all will have an unabridged right to be farmers.

 

Dave

David Carter
davi...@aol.com

 

SPONSOR:	Rep. Atkins & Sen. Ennis

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 147th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 63

AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE CONSTITUTION RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Two-thirds of all members elected to each house thereof concurring therein):

Section 1. Amend Article I of the Constitution of the State of Delaware by making insertions as shown by underlining as follows:

§21. Right to engage in agriculture.

The right of farmers and ranchers to engage in modern farming and ranching practices shall be forever guaranteed in this state. No law shall be enacted which abridges the right of farmers and ranchers to employ agricultural technology, modern livestock production and ranching practices.

 

SYNOPSIS

This bill is the first leg of a constitutional amendment that forever guarantees the right of farmers to engage in modern farming and ranching practices.

-----Original Message-----
From: David Carter <davi...@aol.com>
To: bruce.ennis <bruce...@state.de.us>
Cc: bethany.hall-long <bethany....@state.de.us>; Quinton.Johnson <Quinton...@state.de.us>; Rebecca.Walker <Rebecca...@state.de.us>
Sent: Tue, Mar 26, 2013 2:36 pm
Subject: Deeply Concerned about HB 63 and ask that you withdraw your sponsorship.

Dear Senator Ennis,

 

     I just reviewed House Bill 63 which includes you as a Senate sponsor.  I am at a loss to understand the need and value for this proposal to change the State Constitution.  I also find it to be deeply concerning and problematic for Delaware Farmers and the Citizens of this State.

 

     How do you define "modern agriculture?   Should any practice be permitted, even if it has serious impact on residents and citizens?  How can we assume that everything we believe to be "modern agriculture" is intrinsically good?  What if we promote "modern" practices that we find to have very series impacts on society and agriculture later, but cannot redirect them do to this unwise and unnecessary constitutional change that makes it unconstitutional?  For example, there is growing concern that systemic neonicothinoid pesticide used as part of our "modern agriculture" are linked to killing of honey bees.  If this is true and unregulated, we could severely damage the honey bee population that is responsible for the pollination and production of about 1/3 of our crops.  This constitutional change may severely damage our future options to protect agriculture in Delaware.

 

      As you know, I placed my property in Ag Preservation and am a passionate protector of farmers, Aagland and open space.  I also believe that it is critical that responsible farmers continue to be a part of our society, and not separated out as having special priveledges that could lead to actions that can hurt others in society.  Even if only a few farmers act irresponsibly in accordance with this constitutional provision, it  would damage the reputation of all farmers and erode critically needed public support for farming.

 

     I do believe it is good practice to identify issues where any farmer is unfairly constrained, and deal with this to protect our farmers.  However, a constitution provision such as that proposed in House Bill 63 is an extreme action that is likely to create more problems than it solves.  It is a horrible piece of legislation.

 

     I hope you will act in the best interest of the farmers and citizens of the State of Delaware and remove your support for this bill.  I also hope that you will continue to work hard to protect farmers from any unfair constraints as they arrise through other government actions more appropriate for the problems.

 

Thank you for your consideration.

 

Dave Carter

818 Union Church Road

Townsend, DE  19734

 

 

 

David Carter
davi...@aol.com