Farm organizations join governor in supporting farm and food preservation act
US - A coalition of 14 Missouri farm organizations joined Gov. Matt Blunt Thursday, Jan. 25, in supporting state legislation to protect Missouri farmers and ranchers from nuisance suits and to preserve their opportunity to expand and modernize their farming operations, according to a news release from the coalition.
31 January 2007
1 minute read
The legislation, known as the Missouri Farm and Food Preservation Act, is sponsored by Sen. Chris Koster (R-Harrisonville) and Rep. Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown).
In 1982 the Missouri legislature approved a "right to farm" law, which provided protection to agricultural producers from nuisance suits if the farm or ranch was in existence for at least one year and was not operated negligently.
Regardless of the "right to farm" protection and agriculture's compliance with increased state and federal laws and regulations, Missouri family farmers are exposed to outside forces threatening the economic viability and existence of their operations, according to the news release.
"If this trend continues, the future of agriculture in our state is indeed bleak," said Charles Kruse, Missouri Farm Bureau president.
"In recent years," Kruse said, "governmental restrictions impacting agriculture have become more stringent. Increased state requirements for animal feeding operations, revisions to the Clean Water Act and passage of the Endangered Species Act are just a few examples of the growing regulatory burden facing our farmers and ranchers. And if those concerns aren't enough, the Environmental Protection Agency is now considering new regulations on particulate matter, which for farmers means regulating dust."
Source: The Marshall Democrat-News
