On Wednesday, Missouri Farmers Care sent out an email about some current Missouri bills that may have an impact on livestock and other animals in the state.

It highlighted a few pieces of pro-ag legislation that is important to Missouri livestock producers such as HCS HJR 61 – Right to Raise Livestock sponsored by Rep. Tom Loehner, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

The bill states: This proposed constitutional amendment affirms the right of persons to raise cattle, calves, sheep, swine, poultry, goats, horses, other equine, or rabbits in a manner adhering to state and local laws and ordinances as enacted on August 28, 2012, or at the commencement of operations, whichever is later. No law effecting the manner in which animals are being raised can be enacted by an initiative petition.

It seems almost ridiculous that Missouri needs a law affirming the right to raise livestock, but with anti-animal activists attacking livestock production at every turn, it has become a necessary exercise.

Another important bill sponsored by Rep. Ward Franz states: This bill prohibits any state law from providing an animal a right, privilege, or legal status that is equivalent to or exceeds those of a human being. With animal rights organizations trying to confer legal rights to animals on par with humans, this might be one of the most important pieces of legislation that needs to be passed.

Missouri is not the only state who is pro-actively fighting back against anti-animal agriculture entities. Find out what’s happening in your state and how you can get involved.