Video: Ricketts Introduces Agricultural Data Privacy Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week during his weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) shared his new legislation to protect farmers’ and ranchers’ intellectual property.
The Agricultural Data Privacy Act would require producers’ approval before any company uses their data. Under the act, data could not be sold or otherwise used without farmers’ and ranchers’ express written consent.
Ricketts also discussed his letter to the Trump Administration on behalf of Nebraska’s corn and soybean producers.
“As technology expands, farmers and ranchers should be able to choose how they share their expertise. It’s important that we protect their intellectual property,” said Senator Ricketts. “They shouldn’t be forced to share their data. My Agricultural Data Privacy Act protects that right.”
Watch the video here.
TRANSCRIPT: “Agriculture is the heart and soul of what we do in Nebraska.
“It is also a knowledge business.
“Farmers and ranchers are experts in their fields.
“They know what to plant and when.
“They know every contour of their land.
“Every day, they perform countless calculations to maximize yield, deliver food, and pay their bills.
“That expertise represents a lifetime of hard work.
“Often, it’s generations of hard-won lessons and insights.
“Farmers and ranchers have always been happy to share their insights.
“First, they published them in almanacs.
“Then, they spoke on radio and wrote into newspapers.
“But now, internet-connected devices are changing the game.
“Sharing on your own terms is one thing.
“But, as technology expands, farmers and ranchers should be able to choose how they share their expertise.
“It’s important that we protect their intellectual property.
“They shouldn’t be forced to share their data.
“My Agricultural Data Privacy Act protects that right.
“Data on climate and weather, land, livestock, and yield are valuable.
“My bill would require producers’ approval before any company uses their data.
“That means this data can’t be sold or otherwise be used without farmers’ and ranchers’ expressed, written consent.
“The consent must be obvious and clean – not part of a boiler plate language.
“My Agricultural Data Privacy Act is a proven Nebraska solution ready for America.
“It’s actually modeled after a recent Nebraska state law.
“The state law was the first of its kind in the nation.
“Now, it’s being introduced in states like Iowa, Colorado, and Missouri.
“My bill would make Nebraska’s law the national standard.
“With harvest season beginning, Nebraska producers are busy.
“They shouldn’t have to worry about their data being sold while they are working to feed and fuel the world.
“In the Senate, I’m fighting for our farmers and ranchers so that they can remain focused on growing the safest and highest quality food in the world.
“Our producers also deserve a fair playing field on the international stage.
“Tomorrow, the White House will host Xi Jinping.
“Ahead of the visit, this morning I sent a letter to the administration advocating for Nebraska’s beef and soybean producers.
“For too long, Communist China has undercut U.S. commodity markets.
“I urged the administration to hold Communist China accountable to trade commitments and ensure that our producers have fair and reliable market access.
“Nebraska farmers and ranchers can compete with anybody in the world. “I will keep fighting to ensure they can do just that.”