Iowa ‘Ag Gag’ Law Partially Upheld Despite Free Speech Concerns

Iowa can ban people from accessing agricultural facilities under false pretenses, but the state’s provision punishing people for lying to secure employment at such a facility violates the U.S. Constitution, the Eighth Circuit ruled Tuesday.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit’s decision came as a partial win for Iowa after it challenged a lower court’s decision rejecting the employment and access provisions of its Agricultural Production Facility Fraud law.

Iowa’s statute is one of many state “Ag Gag” laws aimed at preventing undercover investigations and unconstitutionally restricting free speech, according to animal welfare and public safety groups. ...