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Iowa is the first state to make it a crime to lie to get onto a farm to secretly record animal abuse.

Republican Gov. Terry Branstad signed a law Friday that makes lying on a job application to get access to a farm facility a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $1,500. A second conviction carries tougher penalties.

Animal welfare groups called on Branstad to veto the bill, saying the videos are needed to make the public aware of what they consider cruel practices.

But Branstad's action wasn't a surprise. Iowa is the nation's leading pork and egg producer, and the governor has strong ties to its agricultural industry.

He signed the measure in a private ceremony and issued no statement.