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N.C. residents win nuisance case against Murphy-Brown

Neighbors of a North Carolina hog farm have won their nuisance case against pork producer Murphy-Brown.

A federal jury awarded each of the ten plaintiffs more than five million dollars each in compensatory and punitive damages. Their lawsuit claimed odors and flies coming from the large-scale hog operation caused “loss of use and enjoyment of their property”.

The hog farm in question is a contract producer for Murphy-Brown. Murphy-Brown is owned by Smithfield Foods, which in turn is owned by WH Group Limited, a Chinese company.

Smithfield has vowed to appeal the decision.

The National Pork Board issued a statement in response to the ruling,  emphasizing “the strong record the U.S. pork industry has on the environment and sustainability efforts”.