Vetoes may slow Smithfield-Shuanghui deal  

双汇收购美最大生猪生产商计划遭密苏里州长否决

中国双汇国际斥资47亿美元天价收购全球最大生猪生产商史密斯菲尔德公司的计划正遭遇挫折，美国密苏里州长尼克松刚刚否决了两项包含允许把密苏里农田出售给外国人条款的议案，使这宗迄今为止中国公司对美国公司的最大收购计划平添变数。 [查看全文]

New York (CNS) -- Missouri Gov Jay Nixon vetoed two bills on Tuesday that would have potentially eliminated obstacles to Smithfield Foods Inc's sale to Shuanghui International Holdings, China's leading pork producer.

Nixon vetoed state Senate Bill 9, which contained a provision that would have struck down the existing ban on foreign ownership of agricultural land in the state.

According to the provision, non-US businesses can own up to one percent of the state's agricultural lands - or about 300,000 hectares of farmland, an area the size of New York City.

The governor also vetoed Senate Bill 342, which also would have allowed foreign ownership of farmland.

The bills would have removed the potential legal obstacle to Shuanghui International Holdings' proposed $4.7 billion purchase of Smithfield Foods Inc, which would be China's largest purchase of a US company.

Smithfield, which is based in Virginia, owns several livestock production subsidiaries around the US.

Missouri and at least seven other states -- Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin -- have laws that prohibit foreign ownership of agricultural land.

"We intend to consult and work closely with appropriate state officials on this matter as needed," Smithfield said, adding that the company has already discussed the matter with Shuanghui International.

Missouri lawmakers still have the option of undoing Nixon's action when they meet in September for an annual veto override session.