Missouri House Gives Bipartisan Approval to “Right to Farm”

House Speaker Pro Tem Jason Smith’s constitutional amendment to protect Missourians’ right to farm received overwhelming bipartisan approval from the Missouri House of Representatives Thursday. Smith’s amendment (HJRs 11 & 7) was approved by a vote of 110-41.

Smith said the proposed constitutional amendment is meant to give voters the ability to protect the rights of farmers from the destructive efforts of radical, out-of-state interest groups. He said several states, including Oklahoma and Indiana, are following the lead of North Dakota, where voters overwhelmingly approved a similar amendment last year. Smith said states have seen radical animal rights groups propose laws under the guise of protecting animals but with the true intent of infringing on the traditional rights of farm families.

“With more than 108,000 farms and more than $11 billion in economic activity each year, farming is clearly an indelible part of Missouri’s past, present and future,” said Smith. “These subversive groups have invaded our state, and so many others, with the goal of tearing down the traditions that farm families have carried on for generations. If we want our farmers to continue to feed our state and our nation, we need to make a stand to defend their rights for now and forever.”

Smith’s constitutional amendment would, upon voter approval, affirm the right of farmers and ranchers to engage in modern farming and ranching practices. It also prevents the enactment of laws that abridge the right of farmers and ranchers to employ agricultural technology and modern livestock production and ranching practices.

“Much like voters in North Dakota overwhelmingly approved a similar amendment with 67 percent of the vote, I know Missourians will turn out in droves to preserve and protect our traditional right to farm,” said Smith. “I am pleased the House has moved quickly on this issue and look forward to similar support in the Missouri Senate.”

The constitutional amendment has been co-sponsored by more than 30 of Smith’s colleagues including House Speaker Tim Jones. It now moves to the Missouri Senate for consideration.