A controversial update to Georgia’s Right to Farm Act cleared the state Senate Thursday after a debate of nearly two hours.

The bill, which originated in the Georgia House of Representatives last year, passed the Senate 29-21. Because of changes senators made to the measure, it must return to the House before gaining final passage.

The legislation would make it more difficult for property owners living in areas zoned for agricultural use to file nuisance lawsuits against nearby farms generating offensive noise, dust, smells or sludge runoff. In order to sue, owners would have to live within five miles of the alleged nuisance.

Supporters argued the original Right to Farm Act the General Assembly enacted during the 1980’s contains ambiguities that expose farmers to costly lawsuits that could be avoided by a clearer statute.

The bill was endorsed by the state’s major agricultural organizations in Georgia, including the Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Agribusiness Council and Georgia Poultry Federation.

But opponents, led by environmental groups, said the measure was designed to provide a legal shield to large farms owned by out-of-state or foreign corporations at the expense of small family farms.

Compiled Sources