By SUMMER BALLENTINE
Associated Press
COLUMBIA Missouri s Republican-led House on Thursday passed a bill to further limit regulators and law enforcement from going on farms.
Lawmakers voted 109-43 in favor of the bill, which also would apply to dog breeders. The measure now goes to the GOP-led state Senate for consideration.
State and federal agriculture department officials, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and sheriffs departments would be among the few agencies allowed to inspect Missouri farms and breeders under the bill. Only sheriffs from the county where a farm is located could inspect the properties to enforce laws.
Any other government regulators would be banned from going on farms unless invited by the owners.
Missouri News Network
A bill that would limit who can conduct inspections of agricultural facilities is being considered by lawmakers in the Missouri House Agriculture Policy Committee.
State Rep. Kent Haden, R-Mexico, said the bill, HB 574, would protect agricultural facilities against “fishing expeditions’’ from inspectors.
He also noted the need for agricultural facilities to have additional protections against the risks of biosecurity breaches, such as the introduction of the deadly African swine fever into confined animal herds by unauthorized or inexperienced inspectors.
“These viruses are out there that could be brought in by someone not knowing it,” said Haden.
The bill is similar to one filed last year that was scheduled for debate on the House floor the day the chambers adjourned because of COVID-19. This bill differs slightly in that it sets a class B misdemeanor for violations to the stated provisions.
Fewer agencies could inspect agriculture facilities under proposed legislation
MALLORY DAILY
MISSOURI NEWS NETWORK
State Rep. Kent Haden, R-Mexico, said the bill, HB 574, would protect agricultural facilities against “fishing expeditions’’ from inspectors. He also noted the need for agricultural facilities to have additional protections against the risks of biosecurity breaches, such as the introduction of the deadly African swine fever into confined animal herds by unauthorized or inexperienced inspectors.
“These viruses are out there that could be brought in by someone not knowing it,” said Haden.
The bill is similar to one filed last year that was scheduled for debate on the House floor the day the chambers adjourned because of COVID-19. This bill differs slightly in that it sets a class B misdemeanor for violations to the stated provisions.