The Rhode Island Farm Bureau announced it has awarded Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin with the "Friend of Farmers" Award for his support of Farm Bureau issues and for successfully shepherding legislation through the General Assembly to create a statute for the larceny of farm products and livestock.
Introduced by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-District 37, New Shoreham, South Kingstown) and Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly) in conjunction with Attorney General Kilmartin at the request of the Rhode Island Farm Bureau, the statute provides for a new criminal offense of larceny of a farm product.
Al Bettencourt of the Rhode Island Farm Bureau said, "The RI Farm Bureau is proud to present Attorney General Kilmartin with the 'Friend of Farmers' Award. It was through his efforts that we were able to pass the bill that makes stealing from a farmer a felony."
"As a kid from Pawtucket who married a farmer's daughter, this award has earned me some serious credibility with my in-laws," said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. "All joking aside, I am truly honored to receive this award from the Rhode Island Farm Bureau. Rhode Island's farming industry continues to be a growth sector for our economy, and we need to protect our farms and the hard-working men and women who have dedicated their lives to the land. Farmers invest a great deal of time and effort working on their farming operations and the products of theirlabor will be better protected by this new law."
Under the act, it is unlawful for any person to steal a farm product that is the property of a farming operation from the farm itself or the place where the farm product is sold. "Farm product" means goods used in a farming operation, including, but not limited to: crops grown, growing, or to be grown, including, but not limited to, crops produced on trees, vines, and bushes; aquatic goods produced in aquacultural operations; livestock, born or unborn, including aquatic goods produced in aquacultural operations; supplies used or produced in a farming operation; or products of crops or livestock in their unmanufactured states.
"I extend congratulations to the sponsors of this important legislation, who also received the 'Friend of Farmers' award. Senator Sosnowski and Representative Azzinaro are two of Rhode Island's biggest advocates for farmers and our growing agricultural industry, and their leadership in ushering forth this legislation will provide our hard-working farmers with added protections," added Kilmartin.