North Carolina’s Hog Industry Is A Telling Example of Crumbling Tort Law in America

After colonial-era tobacco fields gradually fell out of fashion, North Carolina established a rich history of hog farming. What seemed an economic lifeboat has posed serious environmental and health hazards to the people most intertwined in the process. North Carolina produces 10 billion gallons of wet livestock waste annually, most of which resides in uncovered waste lagoons that are prone to flooding during hurricanes- an issue that will only become more prevalent as climate change worsens. To prevent natural overflow, most of the fecal water is used to fertilize crops, which introduces issues of nitrogen concentration groundwater and river runoff.

A rust-colored hog waste basin looks far from any ponds we know. Credit DEFMO via WUNC (Magnus & Stasio, “A Big Look at Big Hog in North Carolina”)

Most of these ponds exist in majority black and latinx communities who, historically, have been disenfranchised through sharecropping, and rarely benefit from the wealth that is generated by multigenerational contract hog farmers. Rather, an experience of lifelong asthma and shortened life spans is steadily present. Community members in Bladen County recently sued Smithfield farms for violating the right to “private use and enjoyment of land” through negligent waste-management practices, and won. Members lamented the lack of mobility, feeling trapped in their houses, as trips outside swiftly caused nausea and headaches- a disadvantage many of us are only recently experiencing. Millions were awarded to plaintiffs, but restrictions on nuisance suits relating to hog operations quickly followed. 

 

The state has a history of restricting suits and issuing moratoriums in relation to swine litigation, as public officials receive sizable campaign donations from contracting companies who control the market, enacting a tort law that, little-by-little, chips away individual capacity to address industry malfeasance- a national pattern in tort law that was exponentially embraced after the famous Liebeck v. McDonald’s hot coffee case. Another product of the litigation required individual farms to significantly reduce odor in ten days, through the installation of pond covers and methane energy converters at their own expense- a demand that farmers under Smithfield felt impossible. With many farmers soon in violation of court demands and breach of Smithfield contract, they saw their pigs carted off and livelihoods destroyed. 

Source: Yeoman, Barry. (2019, Dec 20). Here are the rural residents who sued the world’s largest hog producer over waste and odors— and won. Retrieved from The Fern.

10 thoughts on “North Carolina’s Hog Industry Is A Telling Example of Crumbling Tort Law in America

  1. Thanks for sharing such great information, I highly appreciate your hard-working skills as the post you published ZYN Rewards com have some great information which is quite beneficial for me, I hope you will post more like that in the future. Such a fascinating article on a lovely day like today; thank you for your efforts in creating such a beneficial article.

  2. Lint-free cleanroom wipes are essential for maintaining the highest cleanliness standards in controlled environments. Designed specifically for use in cleanrooms, these wipes minimize particle generation and are ideal for cleaning sensitive surfaces without leaving behind fibers or residues.

  3. I think this is one of the most significant information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The website style is perfect, the articles is really great nice. – cockfight login

  4. I’m committed to cultivating a positive and respectful environment where every voice is valued. I encourage you to share your thoughts, engage in meaningful discussions, and support one another. Together, let’s create a space that inspires and uplifts!
    Additionally, I’d appreciate it if the admin could share my blog. Thank you!
    pb77

  5. I really happy found this website eventually. Really informative and inoperative, Thanks for the post and effort! Please keep sharing more such blog. Also feel free to visit may web page.
    Wheel Alignment Services refers to the adjustment of a vehicle’s suspension components to ensure that the wheels are set to the correct angle. Proper alignment helps improve handling, extends tire life, and enhances fuel efficiency.

  6. Hi. I am passionate about farming and have been raising pigs for over five years. In between work, I like to play my favorite games online. I recently played on https://oshicasinos.com/ and the experience was fantastic. The platform is user-friendly and the variety of games is impressive. What I appreciate most is how quickly I was able to start earning real money. The bonuses are generous and with a little strategy, you can easily turn them into cash. If you’re looking for a reliable platform where you can actually make money, Oshi is the one for you!

  7. >>> “운이 호화로운 장소를 찾고 계신가요? (카지노사이트.com)에 오신 것을 환영합니다. 화려한 보상과 VIP 대우로, 모든 순간이 왕실 경험 같습니다. 지금 가입하여 만족하세요!”T12

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *