Right to Farm Crosses Finish Line, Fate Rests with Voters
-Right to Farm Passes Missouri House and Senate
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI (May 14, 2013) – The Missouri House of Representatives, on May 8, 2013, and Missouri Senate passed HJR 7 & 11(Right to Farm) today, May 14, 2013, with bipartisan support. The vote in the House was 132-25 and in the Senate 28-6. Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) Executive Vice President Mike Deering said that this is a good move for Missouri agriculture.
“This legislation introduces a constitutional amendment supporting the right of Missouri’s farm and ranch families to produce food, fiber and fuel for a growing global population,” said Deering. “From this, we will work with the 40 other like-minded organizations that make up Missouri Farmers Care to educate voters on the importance of safeguarding agriculture in this state. The fact is this benefits consumers just as must as it does those of us directly involved in producing food.”
Deering said MCA mobilized its members on this priority issue and cattlemen have been present in the state Capitol every week since the beginning of the legislative session to stress the importance of Right to Farm. He said MCA members made their voices heard and certainly contributed to the passage of this legislation.
Right to Farm will be referred to the voters as a ballot question in 2014. Deering said everyone in Missouri is involved in agriculture in some way. He said family farmers and ranchers as well as those consuming food produced in this state need to take action in favor of Missouri’s vibrant agricultural sector.
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