Hog farms: Proposed legislation limits producers' liability over smells

Legislation working its way through the General Assembly would limit the liability of swine producers in lawsuits over the smell generated by hog farms and other agricultural operations that generate large amounts of animal waste.

Hog farms smell bad. Everyone knows that. But hog farmers on the whole are not environmentally insensitive and take great care to see to it that their farms are as clean as possible. It is in their own best interest to see to it that waste is properly disposed of, and the great majority of producers do a good job of reducing the odors that emanate from their operations.

Eastern North Carolina is farm country. Has been for centuries. But in recent years housing development has pushed into what were once farm-only neighborhoods, sometimes creating a clash between new residents and farmers.

The bill approved Monday by the state House would help protect those farmers from nuisance lawsuits. We support it. Swine production in these parts has helped many farmers to hold onto their land at a time when the region's longtime primary cash crop -- tobacco -- has waned.

It has been a long time since we have heard any complaints about the smell of a hog farm. But at a time when development is encroaching on farm country such protections are needed.

Published in Editorials on April 11, 2017 9:40 AM