http://www.boston.com/dailynews/113/nation/S_C_governor_imposes_moratoriu:.shtml

S.C. governor imposes moratorium on large hog farms

By Jennifer Holland, Associated Press, 4/23/2001 15:01

LATTA, S.C. (AP) Fearing large-scale pollution from animal waste, Gov. Jim Hodges on Monday imposed a 15-day moratorium on building massive new hog farms in South Carolina.

The emergency order will give state environmental regulators time to consider permit applications by Virginia-based Smithfield Foods, which wants to build two huge hog farms. Hodges said officials were also considering imposing a longer ban.

''We cannot allow our rich and vibrant quality of life to be eroded by reckless out-of-state hog factory farms,'' Hodges said. ''I call on the Legislature to take action. Toughen our laws and defend our families.''

Smithfield and its North Carolina subsidiary, Carroll's Foods, want to house 32,000 hogs on two farms. Similar large-scale farms have created powerful odors and are blamed for water pollution throughout neighboring North Carolina.

Smithfield already has about 30 factory-style hog farms in South Carolina, with an average of 5,000 hogs each, said company spokesman William Allcott. He said Smithfield was disappointed with Hodges' decision.

In 1996, South Carolina legislators passed tighter hog-farm regulations, but critics say they are not tough enough. The biggest concern is with the large lagoons that store hog waste and have overflowed from hurricane-triggered rains in North Carolina.

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2001