Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson applauds the passage of the Future of Mississippi Agriculture Act (HB 1566) today by the Mississippi House of Representatives.
“I applaud Speaker Gunn, Chairman Pigott, Vice-Chairman Mangold, the House Agriculture Committee and the entire Mississippi House of Representatives for passing the Future of Mississippi Agriculture Act today,” said Commissioner Gipson. “This legislation gives the Department of Agriculture the additional necessary tools to address challenges facing our farmers, ranchers and landowners including tools to expand international trade and to grow local and international markets, to promote Mississippi value added products, to combat invasive species and nuisance animals, and to fight agricultural theft and related crimes.”
Mississippi’s 34,700 farms produce nearly $8 billion in agriculture and forestry commodities annually, making it the state’s largest industry and a significant economic driver.
Gipson continued, “Producing the food and materials that feed Mississippians and the world, and fuel the economy, can be difficult enough without outside threats and pressures. This legislation helps us be more proactive to address exterior pressures facing our farmers and that threaten their markets.”
The measure, authored by Agriculture Committee Chairman Bill Pigott, passed 113-5 and proceeds to Senate for consideration. “I’m grateful for Chairman Pigott’s leadership in championing this bill in the House. I look forward to working with the members of the Senate to move this legislation forward, ultimately to the Governor’s desk,” Gipson said.
Commissioner Andy Gipson Press Release
3/5/2020
