The COVID-19 outbreak is putting a spotlight on the deeply flawed process that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) uses to rubber stamp factory farm applications with limited public input.

And now the EPA has stopped enforcing environmental rules and DNR is also offering a “regulatory relief” process that could allow CAFOs to operate without real accountability during this crisis

Governor Parson needs to put the interests and health of our family farms rural communities over the bottom lines of corporate industrial agriculture in this time of uncertainty.

We call on Governor Mike Parson to issue an immediate moratorium on approving any new CAFO applications until this unprecedented health crisis has passed and the public health and safety of Missouri citizens, workers and communities can be protected from the risks associated with corporate industrial agriculture.