By Laura Ziegler
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-570638.mp3
Kansas City, Missouri – Senate Bill 364 exempts agricultural operations from county health ordinances and protects them from many types of lawsuits. Farm activists say the bill takes away the right of locally elected representatives and farmers to protect their communities from the adverse effects of concentrated corporate livestock operations.But the bill's sponsor,Senator Chirs Koster,who represents constituents just south of Kansas City,says the legislation is essential if Missouri want to compete globally:KOSTER:THEN WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH REGULATORY STRUCTURE THAT ALLOWS US TO DO THAT. BUT THAT PULLS AT HEART STRINGS OF WHAT PEOPLE REMEMBER AS 200 HOGS,THE HERITGE POINT, IT STRIKES AT HEART OF FARMING COMMUNITIES.The rally, planned by Missourians for Local Control, is planned for 2:30 Monday in the rotunda of the State Capital.