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North Carolina lawmakers act to shield livestock operations

North Carolina lawmakers have voted to override a gubernatorial veto of a bill that limits nuisance lawsuits against livestock operations.

The new law will make it more difficult for individuals to sue livestock producers over odor, declining property values and other issues.

Lawmakers developed the bill after neighbors of a North Carolina hog production facility successfully sued Smithfield Foods subsidiary Murphy-Brown in federal court. However, the new law won’t affect that ruling or other lawsuits that have already been filed.

Supporters of the bill argued that the lawsuits were being brought by outside interests while opponents said the bill limited property rights.