Idaho Cattlemen Support Workers’ Comp

A major agriculture organization has voted to support mandatory workers’ compensation insurance coverage for farm laborers in Idaho - but only with certain conditions.

The board of directors of the Idaho Cattle Association said the law must allow farmers and ranchers flexibility to choose what kind of coverage they want to provide and must set equitable rates, association Executive Vice President Bob Sears said.

But the prospect of ending Idaho’s distinction as one of just a handful of states not requiring workers’ compensation coverage for farmhands remains in doubt despite Gov. Phil Batt’s pledge to use his influence to win passage of the requirement.

Year after year, farm and ranch lobbyists have killed the proposal by negotiating aggressively with the Legislature while publicly declaring their limited support.

Employers in virtually all other Idaho industries are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance, but few other industries are as dangerous as farming.