Katie Bernard reported last week at The Kansas City Star Online that, “A collection of Missouri agriculture groups are calling a lawsuit filed this week to block the implementation of a state law aimed at protecting the interests of industrial farms a ‘frivolous’ and ‘desperate’ attempt to ‘disrupt Missouri Agriculture.’
“The statement was released [August 22nd] and authored by the the Missouri Farm Bureau, the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, the Missouri Pork Association, and the Missouri Corn Growers Association, many of whom are named in the suit. They were responding to a judge’s order Monday, after the suit was filed, to delay the bill’s implementation.
“The groups say the bill protects family farmers from ‘unfounded’ county health ordinances. It would prevent local officials from passing more stringent regulations than the state on large farms.”
The article noted that, “The legislation is directed at protecting the interests of industrial farms known as concentrated animal feeding operations [CAFOs], which can produce beef, pork, poultry, dairy and eggs more efficiently than traditional farms can but also stoke concerns about air and water pollution.”
“At least 20 counties have imposed additional regulations and fees on animal feeding operations through health ordinances, according to data from the University of Missouri Extension. Another nine counties and townships enacted zoning regulations,” the article said.
