Bill blocking future hog farm nuisance suits finalized

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina legislators have finalized tougher restrictions upon neighbours of hog farms seeking to sue for damages because of the stench and other nuisances coming from industrial-scale livestock operations.

The state Senate agreed Thursday night to accept House changes to legislation spurred on by the agribusiness industry following the results of the first of nearly two dozen lawsuits filed against pork producers. Smithfield Foods was hit with a nearly $51 million verdict — cut to about $3 million because of state limits on punitive damages.

Language within the bill would all but block other neighbours from suing the operations in the future. Farmers have filled Legislative Building galleries this week supporting the changes.

The bill now heads to Gov. Roy Cooper, who hasn’t said whether he’ll veto it.