SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Local and state officials would be forbidden to enforce federal regulations on food grown and sold in Utah under a measure proposed by a state lawmaker.
The Deseret News reports Sen. Casey Anderson's legislation would make it a class A misdemeanor for the agents to enforce federal laws on such fruit, vegetables and meat.
The Cedar City Republican says the legislation is in response to a new federal law.
Touted as the most sweeping reform of food safety laws in 70 years, Anderson says it has the potential to impact small farms and community gardens.
Legislative attorneys say there's a "high probability" a court would find Anderson's measure unconstitutional.
Sterling Brown of the Utah Farm Bureau says he doesn't see the need for Anderson's legislation.
Utah has roughly 16,600 farms.
___
Information from: Deseret News
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
