News

MO governor signs comprehensive ag bill

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has signed a bill making it illegal to withhold suspected animal abuse that is videotaped at animal ag operations in the state. If such tapes are not turned over to law enforcement, the violation is a class A misdemeanor.

The provision is part of a comprehensive agriculture bill that also protects the right of livestock breeders, and, 4-H and FFA members to exhibit livestock at the Missouri State Fair.

The measure also protects corporate pork operations in three north Missouri counties to remain on exempted lands but does not allow expansion of their existing operations.

And, for the first time, private school students will be allowed to participate in FFA. However, private schools must reimburse the Missouri education department for its oversight of the program and are not eligible for state or federal funding of ag vocational education.

Missouri Farmers Union president Richard Oswald tells Brownfield he’s glad the state is “drawing the line on public funding of private education.”

The provisions of Senate Bill 631 go into effect August 28, 2012.