Comment from Kathleen Ruopp

I oppose allowing food and agriculture facilities to obtain Unmanned Aircraft Flight Restrictions (UAFRs). Drone photojournalism is one of the only tools the public has to see inside factory farms and hold them accountable. US corporations are allergic to the public knowing how they raise their animals and grow our food. These same corporations also are attempting to control our government, not to protect the public, but to protect their profits. There is no documented evidence of drones threatening safety or security at these facilities, but there is a documented history of drone footage exposing false marketing claims, environmental violations, and animal welfare abuses. The people who wish to eat healthy food and to treat our environment and food animals well, are looking for transparency, not fraudulent claims of how their food was raised and grown. It is time that our government catch up with the public, including me. This rule could let the largest, most powerful operations shield themselves from scrutiny — the opposite of what the public interest requires. I urge the FAA not to develop gating criteria for this sector and not to grant UAFRs to food and agriculture facilities. There is no documented evidence of drones threatening safety or security at these facilities, but there is a documented history of drone footage exposing false marketing claims, environmental violations, and animal welfare abuses.