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New Fines Possible for Farmers Who Misuse Herbicides

Fishawk
/
Flickr

The Missouri House has passed a bill increasing fines for illegally using herbicides that damage other farmers' crops.

The legislation allows the Department of Agriculture to fine any person who damages another farmer's crops, land, or property by using a herbicide on a crop for which the herbicide is not labeled for use.  

Farmers can be fined up to $10,000 for each instance of damage and up to $25,000 for repeat offenders.

Supporters of the bill say it will prevent the illegal spraying of herbicides in Southeast Missouri that damaged crops in 2015 and 2016. Several Missouri farm groups including the Missouri Farm Bureau and the Missouri Agribusiness Association supported the bill.

The legislation now moves to the governor's desk, and if signed it will go into effect immediately.