Mo. House endorses amendment on raising livestock

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri House has endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment barring voters from enacting laws that affect the raising of livestock through initiative petitions.

The proposal would add a "right to raise livestock" to the Missouri Constitution.

Sponsor Tom Loehner of Koeltztown said initiative petitions affecting agriculture should be restricted because farmers have little money to educate voters, while outside groups can use television ads to persuade urban voters to pass laws that hurt farmers.

Loehner cites the 2010 voter-approved laws regulating dog breeders as an example.

Critics of Loehner's proposal say restricting initiative petitions could interfere with voter rights.

The House gave the measure initial approval Monday on a voice vote. If approved by the House and Senate, it would go on Missouri's November ballot.