Missouri gubernatorial candidates sound off on foreign ownership of ag land

Foreign ownership of farmland has become a controversial subject at the Missouri Capitol and now gubernatorial candidates are weighing in on the matter. 

Republican candidate, and Missouri Secretary of State, Jay Ashcroft helped to craft legislation that, ultimately, failed to become law. 

During a Missouri Farm Bureau candidate forum, Ashcroft said his bill would have protected Missouri’s agriculture industry:  

“Food security is national security. We’ve seen problems with countries like China building up land around military installations and otherwise, we need to take a stand against that. So, we had a bill that would do that, passed by the house. Unfortunately, the senate…they did the senate stuff to it, I’ll just leave it at that.” 

Fellow Republicans, Senator Bill Eigel is staunchly against foreign ownership of farmland while Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe was not asked his stance at the forum. 

House Minority Leader, and Democrat, Crystal Quade said it’s an issue that needs addressed.