Guyer Testifies Against Swine Farm Bill
BOSTON — State Rep. Denis E. Guyer, D-Dalton, testified Tuesday, Sept. 1, before the Legislature's Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government in opposition to House Bill 3818, An Act Regulating the Keeping of Swine in the Town of Tewksbury.This piece of legislation would allow the town to place significant restrictions upon a legal pig farm, which neighbors oppose because of an alleged odor. H3818 could set a precedent that would allow other towns to regulate law-abiding agricultural operations within their borders, said Guyer, who described the bill as "anti-agriculture." The bill would also create yearly reporting and permitting requirements for swine farms in Tewksbury. In addition, it would impose a 1,760-foot setback from any property line for any new or renovated swine farm facility.
The farm has installed a $45,000 odor control device with the help of a $25,000 grant from the Department of Agriculture to help mitigate the smell.
Many officials and organizations, including the state Department of Agriculture and the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, as well as Gov. Deval Patrick are strongly opposed to the bill. According to a statement from Patrick, the bill has the ability to lead to differing rules and regulations for each town and "would only confound, confuse, and inconsistently apply rules in such a manner as to frustrate the purposes of the Constitution of the commonwealth and the Massachusetts General Laws and the rights and privileges afforded agriculture."
"Legislation such as this has the potential to severely hinder agricultural operations in the commonwealth," said Guyer, whose sprawling 2nd Berkshire District covers mostly small, rural communities. "It would set a dangerous precedent toward regulating farming in Massachusetts, opening the door to future restrictions on local farmers."
Agricultural Commissioner Scott Soares said he found nothing foul at the farm.
"I myself have visited the farm twice on hot days in August," he said. "Both times I have been greatly impressed by the lack of odor."
Guyer represents numerous farms in the 2nd Berkshire District and he is the vice chairman of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
