Both Georgia and Alabama state governments have passed legislation during the past year that is seen as beneficial to those involved in agriculture in their respective states.As reported by Paul L. Hollis in the Southeast Farm Press, the Alabama legislature passed, and Governor Bob Riley signed into law, a statute the imposes certain labeling requirements on catfish. Alabama, the second-largest farm-raised catfish producer in the nation, passed the statute in the face of increased imports from Vietnam and China that contained chemicals and antibiotics banned in the United States. The new labeling requirements will take place in August. The Alabama Department of Public Health will develop the rules and will likely take public comments.
In Georgia, the local Farm Bureau is happy about passage of HB 529. This legislation prohibits “local governments from passing laws regulating practices on the farm.” Zoning ordinances and decision are “superseded” by the statute. The statute also does not prevent local governments from regulating human waste application to the land.
The Georgia bill also has a section dealing with landowner liability. Those landowners who charge admission to their property for those 18 years old and up for hunting, fishing, or agritourism will not face liability for accidents that result from the inherent risks of the activity the customers are paying for, as long as the landowner is not found negligent. Additionally, the legislation requires specifically worded signs and visitors must sign a waiver. Finally, no new liabilities can be created for landowners as a result of the bill.
To read about other measures passed by the Georgia legislature, and to read the Hollis article, click here.
Posted: 08/19/09
