June 18, 2018

Today a coalition of leading animal protection organizations, which includes Compassion Over Killing, Farm Sanctuary, Mercy For Animals, The Humane League, and The Humane Society of the United States, sent a letter to North Carolina governor Roy Cooper asking him to veto the Farm Act of 2018, Senate bill 711. They have also issued the following statement:

“Today we call on Governor Cooper to veto Senate bill 711, a misguided bill that would let North Carolina’s hog industry pollute with impunity and shield the dairy industry from basic competition from plant-based milk producers. Governor Cooper did the right thing when he vetoed H467, last year’s nuisance restriction bill. Now he must veto S711 as well.

“North Carolina faces an epidemic of hog-waste pollution, with nearly 10 million pigs in the state producing over 15 million tons of waste every year. Thousands of rural North Carolinians are currently battling industrial hog farms in court, alleging that these facilities have invaded their homes with odor, air, and water pollution caused by the irresponsible handling of this waste. Rather than protecting these citizens and cracking down on agribusiness pollution, S711 would slam shut the courthouse doors and make it nearly impossible for rural North Carolinians to defend the pure air, clean water, and beautiful land they call home.

“S711 would also create the framework for a Southern ‘embargo’ on soy, almond, and other plant-based products commonly marketed with the term ‘milk.’ This unnecessary interference with the free market is a solution in search of a problem. Consumers increasingly seek out plant-based milk because of its many benefits, not because they think it contains dairy, as some lawmakers bizarrely insist. A ban on the use of the word ‘milk’ would be an unwarranted restriction on free speech and free trade, with the sole purpose of shielding the dairy industry from basic competition. Governor Cooper must stand up for North Carolina’s people, property, economy, and animals by vetoing S711.”

Media Contact: Kenny Torella, Mercy For Animals, KennyT@MercyForAnimals.org