The crowd voiced strong opposition to a CAFO tax credit bill sponsored by Representative Brian Munzlinger (R-1). A portion of HB 1590 would give tax credits to Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) to subsidize their compliance with environmental standards and odor abatement practices, a nearly $1 million dollar tax break for CAFOs.
"While we strongly support the improvement of CAFO practices, we strongly oppose any attempt to subsidize CAFOs for doing what Missouri's family farmers have done for generations-simply be good neighbors," said Ruth Hettinger, a family farmer from Knox County. "Corporate welfare at the expense of family farmers and tax-payers is just plain wrong!"
The cap on Braum's milk manufactured by W.H. Braum, Inc. of Tuttle, OK maintains that it is "rGBH Free" and was produced from their private dairy herd not treated with rGBH. However, they were compelled to add a disclaimer that "no significant difference has been shown between milk from rGBH treated and untreated cows." That studies done for consumer protection have difficulty receiving funding is another issue with which to grapple.
Another bill that raised the ire of farmers and consumers alike was a House and Senate Bill that would ban any type of labeling that enables consumers to know if their dairy products contain rBGH, a genetically engineered hormone that induces cows to produce more milk. Similar bills are being pushed in several states with the help of Monsanto, the manufacturer of the product. Prior to the US Food and Drug Administration's approval of the use of rBGH, Canada and the European Union had banned it based on adverse effects from its use to both cows and humans cited in university and government agency reports.
SB 1279 introduced by Senator Dan Clemons (R-20 and HB 2283 introduced by Rep. Mike Cunningham (R-145) are anti-farmer, anti-consumer and anti-business, said Rhonda Perry, a livestock and grain farmer from Howard County and Program Director of the Missouri Rural Crisis Center. "This is not only an issue of free speech for farmers, but also a corporate and government intrusion into the business relationship between farmer and consumer.Consumers have a right to know how their food is produced, and farmers have a right to tell them," Perry explained.
Darvin Bentlage, a crop and livestock farmer from Barton County, summed up the sentiments of many at the rally by calling on state legislators. "Ladies and Gentlemen, step up and let the people know they do have a voice," he said.
Other proposed bills worthy of support are:
- A raw milk bill, HB 1901, sponsored by Representative Belinda Harris, which clarifies the right of farmers to sell and consumers to buy raw milk
- A National Animal Identification System (NAIS) bill, SB 931, sponsored by Senator Purgason, which would limit Missouri's participation in NAIS
- A local control bill, HB 1932, sponsored by Representative Jeff Harris, which would give communities more control over where corporate-controlled CAFOs are going to be allowed
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