Is there a right to farm?
Posted by Zenphamy 10 years, 8 months ago to Legislation
So Missouri is Amending their Constitution to include the following: “That agriculture, which provides food, energy, health benefits, and security is the foundation and stabilizing force of Missouri’s economy. To protect this vital sector of Missouri’s economy, the right of farmers and ranchers to engage in farming and ranching practices shall be forever guaranteed in this state, subject to duly authorized powers, if any, conferred by article VI of the Constitution of Missouri.”
So what happens to natural and individual rights not added to constitutions?
So what happens to natural and individual rights not added to constitutions?
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For example, Idaho's bill says that once a piece of land is used for agriculture, people can't complain about any further agricultural uses it has. So a 40-acre plot with a one-acre cornfield in the middle becomes a 40-acre hog farm or chicken processing plant, and neighbors have no ability to protest it, which affects their personal property rights and makes it difficult for them to use and sell their land in the future.
I think it's assumed (by the writers of those constitutions) that those rights are covered by the US Declaration of Independence where it says that we all have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The right to farm and ranch is something specific to Missouri'ans (at least whoever is proposing this amendment thinks so), and isn't covered by any other "rights" that we all have.
Maybe in today's political climate, we should think about formally listing out our "natural and individual" rights.
And what are those duly authorized powers? What's that all about?