Corporate Victory Will 'Screw' Local Farmers as Amendment Passes in Missouri

[unhappycamper]

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/08/06/corporate-victory-will-screw-local-farmers-amendment-passes-missouri



ALEC-modeled constitutional amendment protects industrial farmers' right to pollute

Corporate Victory Will 'Screw' Local Farmers as Amendment Passes in Missouri
Deirdre Fulton, staff writer
Wednesday, August 06, 2014
Common Dreams

Agribusiness giants scored a victory in Missouri on Tuesday when voters narrowly approved a corporate-backed state constitutional amendment that critics say will threaten animal rights, remove checks and balances around food safety, and make it more difficult to regulate industrial farming practices.

The ballot question, which was supported by big-ag players like Monsanto and Cargill, asked: "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to ensure that the right of Missouri citizens to engage in agricultural and ranching practices shall not be infringed?" With all precincts reporting, the measure passed 498,751 to 496,223 — a margin of just 2,528 votes, or less than one percentage point.

This makes Missouri the second state in the nation, after North Dakota, to adopt such a provision. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has been promoting similar legislation in state capitols for almost two decades.

While supporters of the so-called "Right to Farm" amendment described it as "a way for us to push back a little bit" against environmental groups and animal welfare organizations, opponents said it would open the door for foreign-owned factory farming in Missouri and "strip most local governments of their ability to stop foreign companies from polluting and contaminating our land."

[justhanginon]

1. A corporate dream come true.

I am sure that ALEC has assured the Missouri legislators that the campaign contribution checks are in the mail.
Missouri seems bound and determined to rival Missisippi and Kansas states politically. Conservatives, Yeccchh!