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COALITION LENDS SUPPORT TO THE MISSOURI FARM AND FOOD PRESERVATION ACT For Immediate Release: January 25, 2007 JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., January 25, 2007 - A coalition of 14 Missouri farm organizations joined Governor Matt Blunt today in support of state legislation to protect Missouri farmers and ranchers from nuisance suits and to preserve their opportunity to expand and modernize their farming operations. The legislation, known as the Missouri Farm and Food Preservation Act, is sponsored by Senator Chris Koster from Harrisonville and Representative Brian Munzlinger from Williamstown. In the 1970s and 1980s, Missouri farmers and ranchers were vulnerable
to claims that their operations created a nuisance. In 1982 the Missouri
legislature approved
a “right to farm” law, which provided protection to agricultural
producers from such nuisance suits if the farm or ranch was in existence for
at least one year and was not operated negligently. “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.” Livestock producers in 16 Missouri counties are now further regulated by county health ordinances, a major concern of coalition members. “Our farmers and ranchers deserve consistent and fair regulation by state and federal agencies that have the expertise to establish and enforce regulations, as opposed to a hodgepodge of discriminatory local regulations,” said Brent Bryant, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association executive vice president. “We joined the coalition to help preserve our industry for future generations. The Missouri Farm and Food Preservation Act contains hope and opportunity for young people who wish to continue Missouri’s rich tradition of cattle ranching.” These same sentiments are echoed by pork producers. “Missouri’s pork industry is already subject to stringent science-based regulations at the state and federal level,” said Don Nikodim, executive vice president of the Missouri Pork Association. “If additional regulations are not based on sound science, producers will face burdens that may force them, and many others in the community, out of farming.” Animal agriculture isn’t the only segment affected by these additional rules and regulations. The state’s grain associations are also greatly concerned. “Missouri’s growing biofuels industry depends on a strong, vibrant grain and livestock base,” says Gary Marshall, Missouri Corn Growers Association CEO. “Today these industries are being threatened by overly restrictive regulations. Unless we are successful in our efforts, we will witness the crumbling of our agricultural foundation, leaving our food supply exposed to the same vulnerabilities as our nation’s energy supply. The idea of importing our food is unacceptable.” Coalition members also agree passage of this legislation is critical for the future growth of agribusiness and rural communities in our state. "As a farmer-owned cooperative, MFA Incorporated stands firmly behind efforts to protect agriculture from unnecessary regulatory burdens, like county health ordinances,” said Don Copenhaver, president and CEO of MFA Incorporated. “Local restrictions undermine Missouri's No. 1 industry – agriculture – and the hundreds of businesses and thousands of employees supporting Missouri's agricultural producers." From cattle and pigs to corn and soybeans to combines and fertilizer, Missouri farm organizations stand shoulder-to-shoulder on this important issue. The coalition is working to make sure U.S. consumers continue to enjoy the safest, most abundant and most affordable food supply in the world. "I am very proud of the fact that production agriculture and the agribusiness community are united on an issue that is going to profoundly affect the lives of everyone involved in our great industry," said Jim Russell, president, Missouri Agribusiness Association. Members of the Coalition for the Missouri Farm and Food Preservation
Act include the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, Missouri Corn Growers
Association, Missouri
Soybean Association, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Pork
Association, Missouri Dairy Association, MFA Incorporated, Missouri Agribusiness
Association,
Missouri Egg Council, Missouri Poultry Federation, FSC Financial, Progressive
Farm Credit, Macon County Ag Alliance and Friends of Agriculture in Marion
County. # # # |
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© Missouri Soybean Programs |