Lawmakers send 'right-to-farm' measure to 2014 ballot

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Intro:	Lawmakers in Missouri's Capitol have approved a ballot measure that would forever guarantee the right to engage in farming and ranching in the state.
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Wrap: Supporters say the right to farm needs to be part of the state constitution so that out-of-state groups won't push through laws that hurt farmers.

But some lawmakers, like St. Joseph Republican Senator Rob Schaaf, say the measure could be a safety risk.

Schaaf says farm animals are increasingly being fed antibiotics and that that's creating a new wave of food poisioning super bugs.

He says putting a right to farm in Constitution could make it harder for the state to stop those super bugs, potentially putting consumers in danger.

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Description: "The agricultural industry is somewhat blind to this problem and they're looking at it from a financial point of view more than a public health point of view."

The measure will go before Missouri voters in November 2014.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Wes Duplantier. Newsradio 1120. KMOX.

Intro:	Lawmakers in Missouri's Capitol have approved a ballot measure that would forever guarantee the right to engage in farming and ranching in the state.
RunTime:	0:42
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Supporters say the right to farm needs to be part of the state constitution so that out-of-state groups won't push through laws that hurt farmers.

But the right-to-farm measure does have a limit: city governments would still be able to regulate farming practices.

Democratic Senator Jolie Justus, of Kansas City, says having that local control is important. She says local governments should be able to make rules for farms in their area.

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Description: "We feed, fuel and clothe the world and I don't want to interfere with that. But I absolutely agree with you that we should not interfere with local control."

The measure will go before voters in November 2014.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Wes Duplantier. Newsradio 1120. KMOX.

Intro:	Lawmakers in Missouri's Capitol have approved a ballot measure that would forever guarantee the right to engage in farming and ranching in the state.
RunTime:	0:42
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap:

The measure passed by a 28-6 vote in the Senate. Some opponents there say that putting a guaranteed right to farm in the state Constitution could make it harder for the state to pass food safety laws.

But the right-to-farm measure does have a limit: city governments would still be able to regulate farming practices. And Republican Senator Mike Parson says that is a carefully negotiated comprise.

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Description: "For the most part, I want to say most organizations understand this, even on the other side. With the exception of maybe one that I know that's here at the last. But for the most part, I think it's common ground. I don't think it's getting extreme one way or the other."

The right-to-farm measure will go before voters in 2014.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Wes Duplantier. Newsradio 1120. KMOX.