Background
In Arizona, “accepted agricultural practices” are often cited as a broad exemption to various environmental and welfare regulations. However, the definition of what constitutes an “accepted” practice is rarely defined in statute, leaving it to the discretion of industry-heavy advisory boards.
The Problem
The current system relies on self-regulation and a lack of reporting. Because these practices are exempt, there is no official record of when or how they are applied, making it impossible for oversight bodies to determine if the exemption is being misused to cover standard violations.
Proposed Solution
By codifying specific, measurable standards for these practices and requiring basic registration of facilities using the exemption, the state can maintain a functional oversight mechanism without placing undue burden on legitimate agricultural operations.