North Carolina hog farms operate under some of the most stringent regulations in the nation. Every hog farm in the state that raises more than 250 pigs a year must receive a general permit issued by the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and adhere to the permit conditions.
Every five years, DEQ reviews the permit and can change the permit conditions. The 2024 general permit is currently under development, as well as a new permit for farms that use digesters to generate renewable natural gas. The drafts of the swine general permit and digester general permit were released in late July, and the state is accepting public comments via email until Friday, November 3. In addition, the state will gather feedback at four public hearings, including one at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville on Thursday, October 5 (6:00 pm) and one at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro on Tuesday, October 10 (6:00 pm).
We know that state regulators will hear repeatedly from the activists who want to make it more difficult for our family farmers to raise pigs, poultry and cattle. These groups will continue to push for burdensome and unnecessary regulations that help further their agenda.
If you support North Carolina agriculture, it is critical that we make our voice heard and speak out against adding new regulations to the swine general permit and digester general permit. Here are three things you can do to help:
Plan to attend the public hearings in Kenansville (Oct. 5) or Goldsboro (Oct. 10). There is also a virtual, online meeting planned for Thursday, October 26. You can sign up here to speak at the virtual meeting.
Send an email to DEQ with written comments about the permit. Click here to add your name to a pre-drafted letter or send comments directly to DEQ at publiccommentsDWR@deq.nc.gov.
Share this post and encourage friends and families to provide comments.
This is an important opportunity to have a say in what regulations our hog farms must follow until 2029. The new permit will take effect on October 1, 2024.
Learn more:
DEQ website: 2024 Animal Feeding Operations General Permits (public hearing schedule, draft permits, etc.)