Idaho bill restricts use of drones to spy on farmers, ranchers

By Amanda Brodhagen Farms.com, Farms.com

Last week, Farms.com produced a story on People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA's) plans to purchase drones to watch hunters and farmers to advance their mission of saving animals from cruelty. An Idaho law, which takes effect July 1, will prevent such actions by animal activist groups like PETA or others from using drones to snoop on farmers and ranchers.

Idaho Senate’s assistant majority leader says the new law is meant "to protect the agricultural community from unreasonable searches." The new law prevents any person or group the use of a drone to monitor private property without a warrant from law enforcement. However, the law doesn’t limit an individual’s right to take images or video footage of their own property – something that has become an important tool for some farmers who use it for monitoring crop progress or livestock.

This law seeks to uphold private property rights, especially as devices like drones are becoming more widely used.