When Pennsylvania's 'Right to Farm' Means Living With the Pigs Next Door

Philadelphia's WHYY reports on a nuisance lawsuit going before the state Supreme Court that may have implications for Pennsylvania’s "Right to Farm" laws.

The case stems from a hog-feeding operations that now neighbors a number of residential developments; the new residents are trying to shut the operation down:

Those disgruntled neighbors have repeatedly lost in lower courts, because the commonwealth’s Right to Farm Act effectively prohibits nuisance lawsuits if a farm is complying with the law and not causing any health issues. The law also keeps municipalities from passing their own regulations to override it.

Every state has 'Right to Farm' laws, though the severity varies. This kind of conflict is likely to appear in cities all over the country, as urban sprawl turns agricultural areas into suburbs. One possible solution, according to a state representative who spoke to WHYY, is agricultural easements.