Senator Mike Bernskoetter

6th Senatorial District

For Immediate Release: 

Nov. 22, 2024

Capitol Building, Room 416

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Contact Kenny Ross: 

 573-751-2076

Invasive Plants

I would like to write to you this week about an important issue that faces Missouri and how one of my pieces of legislation in 2025 will address the problem. 

As you know, the legislative session runs from January to mid-May each year, but we can file legislation as early as December. Right out of the gate, I plan to once again file legislation that will deal with invasive plants.

Invasive plants refer to any plant not native to Missouri that has the potential to negatively impact Missouri eco systems. These are also plants that are not native to the natural habitat of Missouri. Overtime, they have been introduced into our eco system and now are negatively impacting native plants.

As a farmer, I know how fine a balance is needed to protect the land so that it can produce the crops and livestock we need to feed this nation. Invasive plants cause undo harm to the process of farming by requiring extra labor from farmers to produce their crops. The list of invasive plants in this legislation include Burning Bush, Callery Pear, Climbing Euonymus, Japanese Honeysuckle and Sericea Lespedeza. The bill would require this list be maintained by the Department of Agriculture and its director, specifically.

Many of these plants are so problematic because of the high number of seeds they produce. This makes eradication very difficult. My bill would outlaw the sale and distribution of these plant seeds. Over time, this will help farmers and homeowners eradicate these invasive species from the native soil of Missouri, giving native plants that are meant to grow here a better chance at survival.

This was a bill that I filed and worked on last year, but, unfortunately, it did not make it across the finish line. I am hopeful this year to have more success. The election has given us in Jefferson city renewed energy to pursue legislation to help Missourians.

I have spent my whole life involved in agriculture. I understand the importance of this industry for not only Missouri, but the entire nation. There are many ways we can support farmers and ranchers, and outlawing the proliferation of these invasive species is just one of these ways. The plants already spread across this state require yearly efforts by landowners to push these plants back to allow native plants and agricultural crops to succeed. It is my hope that by passing this bill, and stopping the sale of these invasive species at the point of sale, we can help protect Missouri’s natural habitat.

Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.