And some counties might be heavily influenced by hog producers or agricultural interests, he said. The commission did not vote on the issue. State law forbids counties from using zoning to regulate farms.
Counties can use zoning to allow or disallow plants that process farm products.
For example, the Edgecombe County Commission voted Wednesday night to rezone land to allow a hog slaughterhouse. Some local officials have pushed to have the law changed so they can control the growth of industrial-style hog operations. Ron Aycock of the County Commissioners Association said his group had not taken a position on that issue. He disputed Valentine's contention that some counties would not look after public interests. The hog industry has argued against local zoning authority over farms.