At issue is just how far the state should go in clamping down on pollution by livestock operations. Segments of the agriculture community argue for limited regulation, targeting only the largest operations.
Environmentalist groups argue for a broader law.
In the legislature, Rep. Phil Tate, D-Gallatin , is leading the effort for the narrowly targeted bill. However, Roger Allison, director of the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, argues that Tate's proposal does not go far enough in regulating farmers. Instead of establishing regulations for farms with 7,000 or more animals, as is specified by Tate's proposal, Allison says regulations should be imposed on farmers with 600 or more animals. The Crisis Center, composed of 14 different groups from across Missouri, supports stricter regulations such as the ones in a bill that is being proposed by Rep. Tom Marshall, D-Marshall. But Tate says these stricter regulations would harm family farmers.