Missouri farmers hold rally at state Capitol to support local control

Intro: Hundreds of Missouri farmers, property owners, and local elected officials met at the State capitol to voice their opposition against Senate Bill 364. Democratic Senator Wes Shoemeyer was one speaker stressing the importance of local control.

Amy Becker has more from the Jefferson City.

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If we're going to fix the problems, we've got to look at the issues that are there. And those things, stink!

(APPLAUSE)

The bill sponsored by Republican Senator Chris Koster prohibits counties from enacting public health ordinances concerning farm activities.

The bill would put the state in charge of complaints such as odor nuisances and tresspassing.

Shoemeyer says the bill caters to big corporations and threatens the life of the independent farmer.

From the state Capitol, I'm Amy Becker

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A bill in the Missouri Senate will take local farm control away from counties. Hundreds of farmers and local officials held a rally Monday in opposition of the bill.

Amy Becker reports from the state Capitol.

Missouri farmers, property owners, and county officials met to voice their stance against Senate Bill 364.

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Vote no on 364!

Vote no on 364!

Democratic Senator Wes Shoemeyer, who spoke at the rally, says the bill helps big companies prosper while squashing independent farmers.

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Description: Just because there's a huge problem by some corporations and their friends and they write nice, big fat checks to people, is not a reason to sell the rest of the state out.

Shoemeyer says the bill is a blantant attempt at restricting people's access to justice.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Amy Becker.

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Missouri farmers and local officials held a rally Monday to fight for local control of Missouri farms. They spoke against a bill in the Senate they say will eliminate local control and independent farms all together.

Amy Becker has more from Jefferson City.

The bill in question is Senate Bill 364 which prohibits local county health boards from regulating farm activity.

Republican Senator Chris Koster, the bills sponsor, says it is questionable if Missouri can be competative in the international market if it has 114 different regulatory structures.

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Description: Local health boards are creating independent set backs for agricultural production, different bonding requirements, different licensing requirements that are well outside, way outside their area of expertise.

Koster says the bill is early in the negotiation process and he is waiting for a concensus from both parties.

This is Amy Becker reporting from the state Capitol.