LINCOLN- The proposed effort to amend the "right to farm" act faces a new coalition of farmers and environmental groups working to shut down the efforts. Groups say LB662 is an attempt to relax regulation of large, industrial livestock operations at the expense of rural residents and family farmers.

“This proposed legislation exempts large corporate farms from being a good neighbor,” said Ron Todd-Meyer, a retired farmer and a Nebraskans for Peace board member. “This legislation should be pitched into the manure pile for composting.” The bill would narrow who, and when, nuisance lawsuits could be filed against farm operations for issues such as excessive odors and dust.

Officials from the Farmers Union, GC Resolve, Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light and Nebraska Communities United, in a press release last week, all indicated they will oppose the bill. Senator Ballard, the bill's sponsor, claims that agricultural producers deserve extra protection from nuisance lawsuits.

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