Vetoes may slow Smithfield-Shuanghui deal  

雙匯收購美最大生豬生產商計劃遭密蘇里州長否決

中國雙匯國際斥資47億美元天價收購全球最大生豬生產商史密斯菲爾德公司的計劃正遭遇挫折，美國密蘇里州長尼克松剛剛否決了兩項包含允許把密蘇里農田出售給外國人條款的議案，使這宗迄今為止中國公司對美國公司的最大收購計劃平添變數。 [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.