Keeping Livestock Records Secret?This item appeared in the Des Moines Register this morning:
State agriculture officials want to be allowed to keep secret certain records dealing with the control of livestock diseases such as mad cow disease.
Key lawmakers are unsure whether they want to take that step, which the Iowa Department of Agriculture has requested.
Senate Study Bill 1023 would carve out an exception to Iowa's open records law for any records related to livestock tracking programs that aid in pinpointing and stopping animal disease outbreaks.
"The information may relate to an investigation, a person associated with the animal, or an animal carcass. However, nothing in this subsection restricts the department from releasing a record to any person," the proposed law says.
Can anyone think of a situation where it would be a good idea to keep secret any records dealing with livestock disease?
After all, it's only the food supply we're talking about...
