Missouri to Add Fees, Require Liability Insurance for Wild-Animal Raisers

Missouri lawmakers have approved new regulations, including fees and an insurance requirement, for people who raise wild animals such as lions, bears and tigers.

Legislation sent to the governor will require anyone possessing, breeding or transporting large carnivores to get a permit from the Department of Agriculture beginning in 2012. The permits could cost up to $2,500.

The bill also requires people possessing the animals to carry at least $250,000 of liability insurance.

Another section of the bill would impose a tenfold increase on the fees charged to companies that sell pesticides in Missouri. Supporters of the increase say it could generate $1.6 million for the Agriculture Department and bring Missouri’s fees closer to those charged by neighboring states.

The agriculture bill is SB795.

Topics Legislation Agribusiness Missouri