The bill was introduced in the state senate last month.
But today, it's raising questions about the central valley's vulnerability.
Sen. Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres: "Let's face it. It's a terrorist act. So the penalties should match the crime and SB1302 will do just that."
So, he's proposing changes that call for extended sentences for aggravated arson...
Cannella wants the definition of that to include "the disruption of food supply," and "damage costs to be set at $100,000 dollars."
Coincidentally, that was the amount of the reward that was offered for the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the Harris Ranch fire.
Activists with the North American Animal Liberation group said they did it.
Ryan Jacobsen, Fresno Co. Farm Bureau CEO: "In this situation, when we say it attacked the food supply, it was the food supply for the animals and that's bad in the sense that these animals are relying on people to get their daily food, daily water."
Criminology experts say vulnerability has been proven with accidents that led to spinach recalls in recent years.
Dr. Ken Ryan, a criminology professor at Fresno State says with agriculture, domestic threats like the Animal Liberation Group, are more likely.
Dr. Ken Ryan, Fresno St. Asst. Prof. Of Criminology: "If it's ever done deliberately, and on a much larger scale than what a skunk might actually track through the spinach, then you can see the potential ramifications would be massive."
The Fresno County Farm Bureau says ag-terror crimes are nothing new, but that the Harris Ranch attack sheds light on a great need for awareness and prevention among farmers.
Jacobsen: "In the Harris situation, we're talking about a major retailer in the central valley that was affected. It affects our economy and affects the produce and products we're able to get to market."
As far as the bill, it has to go through a committee hearing before the state assembly gets its hands on it for a vote.
The Fresno County Farm Bureau and the Fresno Sheriff's Office are working together to help farmers better protect themselves against crime.
They'll hold an Ag Crimes and Terrorism Summit on Thursday March 29th, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
The meeting will be held at the Kearney Ag Center in Parlier, 9240 S. Riverbend.
For more information, call 237-0263.
TXT 24
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