N.C. House Bill Limits Legal Options for Communities Impacted by Agricultural Pollution

(RALEIGH, N.C.) Today, North Carolina state lawmakers are expected to give initial approval to House Bill 467, which aims to restrict damages from nuisance lawsuits against agriculture to the value of the property that is harmed. The bill would prevent plaintiffs from seeking punitive as well as other kinds of damages, and will severely limit legal options for individuals with lower property values. 

“Environmental Defense Fund has a long history of collaborating with farmers, food companies, and agribusinesses in North Carolina and across the U.S. We work in partnership with agriculture to go beyond regulatory compliance, protect natural resources, and improve air and water quality.

Restricting legal options and services for communities with more limited means is not the way to build trust or work towards a cleaner future for North Carolina. We are opposed to any legislation that would disproportionately limit the legal resources of disadvantaged communities while deepening the divide between agriculture and environmental groups.

We believe that sustainability makes good business sense for agriculture, and that the path forward should include increased collaboration between agribusinesses and environmental groups working to protect low-income communities.”

• Maggie Monast, Sustainable Sourcing Manager, EDF Ecosystems Program