News

Property rights remain a priority for Missouri Cattlemen’s Association

Private property rights continue to be a priority for Missouri’s farmers and ranchers.

Mike Deering, executive vice president of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association says now is the time for real, eminent domain reform. “To draw the line in the sand when it comes to private property rights,” he says.  “Elected leaders in Jefferson City need to take notice and know that we are serious about this and we are going to do everything possible to protect private property rights.”

AUDIO: Mike Deering, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association

Anita Vanderwert president of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association tells Brownfield this is about more than just the Grain Belt Express.

“It’s about any for-profit company that wants to take away people’s land,” she says.  “We’re always going to be against imminent domain and having for-profit companies take land away from farmers and ranchers.

Deering says eminent domain was intended to be used as a last resort for critical needs. “It was never intended for companies to take land on the cheap,” he says.  “These generational family farms don’t deserve this.  It doesn’t make sense and it’s not providing real benefits to the communities that it’s impacting.”

He says Missouri Cattlemen’s will work with other ag organizations to protect the private property rights of Missouri’s farmers and ranchers in the current legislative session.