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N.C.legislature passes ag bills
Story Date: 8/15/2013
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Source: N.C. PORK COUNCIL, 8/14/13
The NC General Assembly has adjourned their 2013 session that began in late July and it was a great year for agriculture!
Below are some of the bills of interest to the pork industry that have been signed into law:
SB 205: Eliminate Unnecessary Testing/Animal Waste (Sen. Michael Walters)
Changed the soil test required under animal waste management permit from annually to every three years.
SB 509/HB 614: NC Agriculture and Forestry Act (Sen. Brent Jackson/Rep. Nathan Ramsey, Rep. Jimmy Dixon)
Strengthens NC's right-to-farm law by expanding the protections to farms that have been in existence for at least a year, were not a nuisance when they began even if they have undergone any of the following:
· A change in ownership or size;
· An interruption of farming lasting for a period of no more than three years;
· Employment of new technology; or
· A change in the type of agricultural or forestry product produced.
The bill would also award attorneys' fees and other court costs in certain situations to the prevailing party - hopefully serving as a deterrent for frivolous or malicious lawsuits intended to bankrupt a farm out of business.
HB 211:Weight Limits/Animal Feed Trucks
(Reps. Jimmy Dixon, William Brisson, John Bell, Larry Bell)
Removes weight restrictions on trucks carrying poultry or livestock feed from a storage facility or mill to a farm within 150 miles.
SB 377: Suspend Truck Inspection/Severe Weather (Sen. Brent Jackson)
Allows governor to temporarily suspend routine weight inspections when there is an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage to crops ready for harvest or livestock.
SB 638: NC Farm Act of 2013 (Sen. Brent Jackson)
Strengthens liability protections for fruit and vegetable growers and for agritourism activities; exempts farm buildings used for public or private events from certain state building codes; exempts farmers who own single story migrant housing from state building code sprinkler systems requirements; protects farmers' personal information from disclosure that may have been collected by NCDA through its animal health programs on documents such as certificates of veterinary inspection, animal medical records, or other laboratory reports; and allows landowners to withdraw water for agricultural use during water shortage emergencies under certain conditions.
SB 386: Board of Agriculture/Swine Appointment (Rep. Jimmy Dixon)
Adds 11th member to the NC Board of Agriculture that must be an active hog farmer.
SB 505: Clarify Agricultural Zoning (Sen. Brent Jackson)
Adds grain storage facilities to the list of agricultural operations covered under bona fide farm zoning exemptions.
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