This morning, the New York Times editorialized strongly against the recommendation of MN Governor Pawlenty that hog farms should trump local zoning. There's still time to protect local land use authority here. But Michigan pre-empted its locals in favor of factory farms several years ago.
Here's a key paragraph from the editorial. The whole text is linked, but you'll probably need to register to see it if you haven't registered already:
"The report has caused an uproar, for good reason. It's a blueprint for the destruction of family farming in Minnesota. The way to aid animal agriculture isn't to sell out to corporate interests or make rural residents feel powerless. It's to increase the diversity of Minnesota farming, build new markets and preserve rural life. Massive feedlots and hog-confinement operations do none of that."
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/02/opinion/02thu3.html
Posted by Dave at December 2, 2004 02:54 PM