News

Governor vetoes ag bills over deer issue

Governor Jay Nixon has vetoed two bills that would have defined captive deer as livestock, saying the measures are unconstitutional.  Nixon says it is unfortunate that the bills both included “worthy provisions advancing Missouri agriculture.” By the vetoes, none of those ag provisions will proceed.

Nixon says the state constitution clearly gives exclusive authority to the Missouri Conservation Commission over wildlife and game animals “whether roaming free or enclosed in a fenced area” and the bills aimed to strip the commission of that authority.

Jim McCann, president of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, released a statement saying “It’s a shame the governor essentially ignored Missouri agriculture.”

The bills would have increased hauling limits for livestock in Missouri, extended the equine liability waiver to all livestock and allowed cattle producers to vote on whether to increase their Missouri beef checkoff investments.  They also would have enacted the Missouri Dairy Revitalization Act.

McCann says they will work with the Missouri legislature to look for another path forward.