Lawmaker wants to prevent certain countries from buying any Missouri land

A state lawmaker wants to prevent certain countries from buying any Missouri land and restrict foreign ownership of farmland. 

Representative Mike Haffner, who co-chairs the Missouri Legislature’s Joint Committee on Agriculture, plans to give a similar bill that he offered this year another try…

According to Haffner:  “It involves two different aspects. Number one, it’s a national security issue because we want to make sure that Missourians are safe. Number two, it is an agricultural issue to protect the food supply. So, we’ve got to be able to merge what’s going on with the marketplace with the national security.” 

Several bills like his were offered this year and the issue is expected to be a priority for Republicans next year. 

There were no opposing arguments or testimony for or against during the committee meeting.