Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announced this week that Proposition B has been approved for the general election ballot in November.

The anti-puppy mill measure would limit the number of breeding dogs a breeder could own at one time and create a misdemeanor crime for puppy mill cruelty violations.

The initiative has found an opponent among Missouri's agricultural concerns, who fear the measure could be broadened to limit livestock or animal confinement operations.

It would also require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each dog under their care with sufficient food, clean water, housing and veterinary care.

Barbara Schmitz, campaign manager for Missourians for the Protection of Dogs -- the measure's petition drive sponsor -- said Missouri is known as the "puppy mill capital" with about 3,000 such facilities operating in the state.

''Right now in Missouri it is perfectly legal to have a dog as small as a beagle in a cage with a wire floor and be housed there for her entire life. That is the situation here and it is legal. The laws in Missouri relating to large- scale breeding facilities are vague and inadequate. We are trying to ensure basic, humane care for these dogs," Schmitz said.

Kelly Smith, director of marketing and commodities for Missouri Farm Bureau, said members voted overwhelmingly at their annual meeting last December to oppose the measure.

He said the group opposes the measure because laws regulating pet breeding operations already exist, and the measure would not provide additional funding to the state's Department of Agriculture, which "lacks the manpower and resources to provide the inspections they already have statutory authority for."

He said the cost to legitimate breeders could drive them out of business, and believes the measure is part of a broader move by animal rights activists to "eliminate all domesticated animals, from livestock to dogs and cats."

''This is a dog breeder issue. Does this particular initiative affect livestock farmers? The truthful answer is no, but we have seen this kind of legislation used in other states to try and limit and regulate livestock and our members are concerned," Smith said.