(Radio Iowa) – A bill ready for debate in a House Committee would shield Iowa farmers and renewable fuel producers from lawsuits or criminal charges related to the impact of greenhouse gas emissions like methane or carbon dioxide. The bill is supported by farm groups like the Iowa Corn Growers and Iowa Pork Producers. Kelli Klink is a lobbyist for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. “We recognize we need a safe, stable food supply,” Klink said, “and this bill prevents trivial lawsuits against the American farmer in providing food for all.” The bill allows exceptions that would allow farmers to be sued if there’s clear and convincing evidence they violated a government permit or regulation about emissions.

Representative Megan Srinivas, a Democrat from Des Moines, says the bill may be too vague.  “We also aren’t differentiating between small farmers and larger bad actors,” Srinivas said, “and if we have no such differentiation, then we could just be having more accumulative problems, leading to worsening situations.”

The latest data from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources indicates agricultural production accounts for 29 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Just over 80 percent of methane emissions come from farming operations.