Posted September 16, 2014
After all
the votes
have been recounted, the Missouri Amendment One, “Right to Farm,” stands,
according to an Ozarks First article by Matt Lupoli available here.
Feedstuffs also published an article available here
and The Republic here.
According
to Secretary of State Jason Kander, a total of 499,963 "yes" votes
were cast against 497,588 "no" votes. The recount margin narrowed from 2,490 votes to 2,375.
The
recount was requested after the ballot passed with a margin victory of less than
one-half of a percentage point, according to The
Republic.
The
amendment protects farmer practices, including early weaning of dairy cattle,
neutering and castration, and the planting of genetically modified crops,
according to Feedstuffs.
“Although
the recount was unnecessary and costly to Missouri taxpayers, we are pleased
with the results upholding the passage of Amendment #1,” said Blake Hurst,
president of Missouri Farm Bureau.
The
secretary of state’s office estimated the recount could cost up to $100,000,
according to The
Republic.
Jim
McCann, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) president, said out-of-state
organizations were “vehemently” opposed to the Amendment and attempted to
mislead Missourians, according to Feedstuffs.
"The
Farming Rights Amendment was created with family farms and ranches in
mind," said McCann. "It is good to know Missourians welcome family
farmers and ranchers and understand the importance of agriculture to the
all-around wellbeing of our state."
For more information on Right to Farm laws and for a
compilation of states’ Right to Farm statutes, please visit the National
Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
