Senator Mike Parson to Present Resolution Urging Federal Bureaucrats From Imposing Changes to the
Beef Checkoff Program

JEFFERSON CITY — Senator Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, announced his intention to file legislation during the 2015 legislative session aimed at opposing any increasing government involvement in existing or the development of new federal commodity checkoff programs. The resolution is a result of concerns raised by cattle producers who are bracing for an overhaul of the national Beef Checkoff Program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed the creation of a new program following several administrative disasters.

“Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack should be admonished for the failures of his administration and for allowing more government control of the Beef Checkoff program,” said Sen. Parson. “Currently, Missouri farmers have grass roots control of the program, which is mandatory. Producers should have control over how that money is spent, not the secretary of agriculture and the federal government”. 

The new proposed program from the USDA is expected to be released by the end of 2014. Senator Parson’s resolution is a proactive step to encourage the federal government to protect beef producers, maximize grassroots and state level involvement, and to stop the federal government from mandating additional regulations.

Visit www.senate.mo.gov/parson for more information on bills filed by Sen. Parson during the 2015 legislative session.