Bill Would Ban Foreign Ownership Of Missouri Farm Land

In 2013 Missouri lawmakers voted to allow up to 1% of farmland to be held by foreign ownership. Following that, a Chinese company purchased Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pig and pork producer. Senate-elect Rusty Black of Chillicothe pre-filed a bill that would eliminate that 1%…

He says it’s essential to get rid of the 1%, adding that a foreign corporation should own 0% of land used for production in Missouri. If the total ownership exceeds 1%, a sale or transfer will be submitted to the Department of Agriculture for review. Additionally, if the land was found to be used for non-agricultural purposes, the violation should be reported to the attorney general under this bill.