"Stand Up For Farmers!” Rally, Organized by Missouri Farmers Care, Draws Hundreds

At 5:00 pm on Wednesday afternoon, the south lawn of the Missouri Capitol teemed with nearly 1,300 pro-agriculture supporters. The rally, organized by Missouri Farmers Care, focused on the joint effort of Governor Jay Nixon, Missouri legislative leaders, agriculture advocates and animal welfare experts to craft a “Missouri Solution” for the problems caused by Proposition B.

“Today, hundreds of Missourians travelled to the Capitol to let their leaders know that Missourians won’t stand idly by as big-money, special interests attack our farm families,” explained Don Nikodim, chair of Missouri Farmers Care. “That’s why Senate Bill 113 and the Missouri Solution are so important. We have to protect agriculture from radical groups like HSUS.”

The highlight of the rally came when Jon Hagler, head of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, announced Governor Nixon’s support for a “Missouri Solution” that will fix Proposition B. The result of an agreement between Missouri’s agriculture community and local animal welfare advocates, the “Missouri Solution” will ensure that dogs and puppies receive the treatment and care they deserve, while preserving Missouri jobs and protecting Missouri farmers.

“We’re proud that Governor Nixon is standing with us against radical outside interests like HSUS,” Nikodim said. “The Missouri Solution is a clear example of what can happen when we all work together. Missouri’s farmers, pet providers and animal welfare experts all support this agreement that eliminates cruelty while protecting our homes, farms and jobs.”

The “Missouri Solution” proposal will complement Senate Bill 113, sponsored by Senator Mike Parson (R-Bolivar), which improves enforcement of current animal cruelty laws, strengthens standards for animal shelters, cracks down on unlicensed breeders and removes controversial provisions hidden in Proposition B that threatened animal agriculture in Missouri.

Also speaking at the event were; House Speaker Steve Tilley (R-Perryville), Senate Pro Tem Rob Mayer (R-Dexter), Senator Mike Parson (R-Bolivar), Senator Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown), Veterinarian Dr. Alan Wessler and local farmer Chris Chinn. The event was emceed by Missouri Farmers Care Chair, Don Nikodim.

“It was inspiring to look out and see so many people coming together to fight for our farms and our families,” Nikodim concluded. “We sent a strong message today that Missouri will continue to stand strong against radical outside interests like HSUS that threaten our homes, our jobs and our values.”

Casey Guernsey: Legislature Turns Back Proposition B

by State Representative Casey Guernsey

Proposition B is the first step in an attempt to end animal agriculture in the state of Missouri. There are over 100,000 farmers in this state – many of them raise livestock. In the words of the organizations that sponsored the measure – the Humane Society:

“My goal is the abolition of all animal agriculture.”

— John “J.P.” Goodwin, HSUS grassroots coordinator, statement made on AR-Views, an animal rights internet discussion group

“If we could shut down all sport hunting in a moment, we would.”

— Wayne Pacelle, president of HSUS, Associated Press

“The life of an ant and that of my child should be granted equal consideration.”

— Michael W. Fox, HSUS senior scholar, Associated Press

This week the Missouri House passed a measure that would actually make it harder to operate a puppy mill in this state. Our bill, unlike the humane society’s proposition, increases the cost of obtaining a dog breeder’s license in Missouri, and uses that money to increase inspections. Bad people will always do bad things. The current “puppy mills” in Missouri are already operating in violation of our laws. Missouri’s “Operation Bark Alert” is already catching hundreds of illegal breeders and rescuing thousands of dogs. Since the launch of Operation Bark Alert, more than 4,300 dogs have been rescued in across Missouri. In 2009, Missouri saw a decrease of 164 commercial breeders thanks to Operation Bark Alert. In 2010, the trend continued with more than 200 commercial breeders no longer in business in Missouri. This was without the measures in proposition B, designed to end animal farming. We can stop illegal breeders from operating here without hurting legitimate businesses. The Humane Society thinks we cannot legitimately raise animals for food; they think animals are equal to humans. This is insane. Most of Missouri’s dog breeders are small family operations that raise dogs because they love them, and they want to supplement their income. Proposition B will literally put them out of business – while those already operating illegally will continue to do so. Unchanged, Proposition B hurts all dog breeders. Our proposal increases funding to look for puppy mills and shut them down without hurting legitimate farmers. If you suspect someone is operating an illegal puppy mill and want to help us shut them down, you can report unlicensed breeders to state officials at from operation bark alert at:http://mda.mo.gov/animals/ACFA/barkalert/reportbreeder.php

The Missouri Legislature also passed HB 209, the Agriculture Nuisance Reform Act, by a vote of 110-45 that will protect Missouri farm families and farms from the continued onslaught of lawsuits from out-of-state lawyers. Animal production is under constant attack from out-of-state lawyers who simply want to ruin the state's agriculture industry, kill thousands of jobs, and destroy hundreds of rural communities. I am proud that Missouri Legislators, both urban and rural, republican and democrat, stood together to protect our agriculture industry, the jobs it creates, and the rural farming heritage that is the foundation of our state's economic and social well-being. Today's reforms will protect jobs, farms, and future generations who want to continue farming without harming the legitimate rights of adjoining property owners.

As always, feel free to contact me anytime with your thoughts or concerns. My phone number is 573.751.4285 and my email is Casey.Guernsey@house.mo.gov.

Cut to the Chase: HSUS True Colors Beginning to Show

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) hired a small army of contract lobbyists to further their interests in the state of Missouri. Even after spending millions and barely passing Proposition B in the November election, it seems HSUS is not through with our state.

During their campaign on behalf of Proposition B, HSUS assured us they were just concerned with dogs and had no interest in livestock production in the state. These assurances must come with a sell-by date, because they have most certainly expired. Contract lobbyists are now working the halls of the Capitol urging the defeat of House Bill No. 100, a bill that guarantees Missourians’ rights to continue to "raise livestock in a humane manner."

Heck, the bill would put the humane treatment of livestock into Missouri law. One would reasonably assume that the Humane Society ought to favor humane treatment, but I guess not. The bill requires Missouri farmers to use "generally accepted scientific principles" in their production of livestock. Again, it seems an organization that purports to fight for the welfare of four-legged creatures ought to be in favor of science, but the HSUS has little use for science when emotion is so much more effective in separating the organization's supporters from their money.

In the past few days, I visited with farmers who struggled through the recent blizzard to care for their livestock. One of my friends spent the day of the blizzard struggling through snow drifts to make sure his hogs had enough feed, ending the day stranded in the ditch while he attempted to drive through the white-out conditions. He made it home safely, but he was willing to risk his life to care for his animals.

Another friend spent the day on crutches feeding hogs. He wasn't supposed to be working, but he was the only member of his family who could reach their hogs because of the dangerous travel conditions. Sensible regulations on animal care may be necessary, but consumers should never, ever forget farmers routinely put the welfare of their animals before anything else, including their own safety.

HSUS believes perfection was reached in the fall of 2010 with the narrow passage of Proposition B. The organization argues the people have spoken, the results are engraved on stone tablets, and there is no need for improvement. But in the same election, the people of the state voted in a legislature empowered to work the people's will. If that legislature, in its wisdom, decides there is a need to improve upon the work of the people, it is their right and indeed their responsibility to do so.

Initiative petitions are a valued part of democracy, but it is not possible for initiatives to do more than reflect a rather rough approximation of the people's will. Bills under consideration to amend Proposition B will strengthen the ability of present law to protect dogs being raised by Missouri's licensed dog breeders. That is a very good thing, and will more accurately reflect the will of an electorate concerned about the treatment of animals, but not expert in the crafting of legislation.