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Missouri Farm Bureau on ag bills’ advancement
Missouri’s largest farm group is pleased to see legislation moving forward that is helpful to the state’s farmers. B.J. Tanksley is director of state legislation for Missouri Farm Bureau, tells Brownfield two omnibus ag bills have passed the House and Senate and contain measures for the labeling of non-meat products and controls on ag land taxation. Another bill clarifies the state’s clean water law, “Agriculture, storm water runoff, and irrigation is exempt from permitting requirements unless it enters a water of the state and renders that water harmful.” A separate bill has advanced that would advance rural broadband expansion in Missouri.
Concurrently, the Missouri House is moving forward with a special session to consider impeachment proceedings against Governor Greitens. Brownfield asked Tanksley how that might affect legislation that passes this session, “Those conversations will be really interesting and, obviously, there will be a lot of motion between now and mid-July when those deadlines hit. So, I wouldn’t even begin to guess how those all play out.”
Tanksley praised Missouri House and Senate leaders for keeping legislation moving forward this session during what he calls “interesting times” in state government. The 2018 regular session concludes May 18th.
AUDIO: Interview with B.J. Tanksley~
The Ag Bill should address adequate set-back distances (significant) from Feed Lots and CAFO’s so neighboring homes and property is minimally impacted. This would make the bill easier to accept by showing some neighborly compassion for both rural homeowners, subdivisions, and assist farmers/corporations in selecting sites which are complimentary to the communities which they impact.