They bussed in hog industry employees to demonstrations at the legislature. Regulations were delayed for over two years. Eventually, though, the public outcry grew too loud. After a huge legislative battle, the Clean Water Responsibility Act passed in 1997, placing a moratorium on any new or expanded corporate hog farms until March of 1999. County commissioners now have zoning authority over hog farms holding over 5,000 hogs.
Some environmental groups are pleased with the law.
The hog industry has targeted eastern North Carolina. The environmental and public health problems caused by the hog industry's unregulated growth are far from over. Now with 10 million hogs in our state, the problems may just be beginning. The hog industry used political money, lobbyists, and insider access to lawmakers to assure that unregulated growth. The public is paying dearly for the consequences.