Remarks:
Hog Farm Executive Order
"Cotton Press"
Monday, April 23, 2001

We are here today to protect our farmers, our families and our communities.

Across the border in North Carolina, towns have felt the impact of uncontrolled hog factory farms.

These factory-style swine facilities have had a devastating impact on families and farms in our neighbor to the north.

In 1996, we adopted stringent, comprehensive regulations to keep these factory-style corporate hog farms away from South Carolina. Since then, we've had only seven hog farms permitted in this state, and none of them are on the scale of North Carolina's corporate hog farms.

Recently, however, that's changed. Two of these giant factory farms have applied to set up shop in South Carolina. We have word that at least three more may be close behind.

This is unacceptable. I have been contacted by legislators, officials, and citizens from Dillon, Marion and Marlboro counties. They share my concerns.

Just look around us. We are a state of history and promise. We cannot allow our rich and vibrant quality of life to be eroded by reckless out-of-state hog factory farms.

In fact, we are standing across the street from a promising industrial park. One day, it will be home to the business and industry that will help revitalize this part of the state. But that will not happen if we stand aside and let these corporate hog farms set up shop in our communities.

In just a minute, I am going to sign an emergency moratorium. With a stroke of the pen, we will ban the approval of new hog factory farms for fifteen days.

During those fifteen days, I will order the DHEC board to meet and review their regulations. We need time to consider the impact of these giant hog factory farms.

The DHEC board cannot do this alone. I also call on the legislature to take action this week. Toughen our laws and protect our families.

We have a historic chance to protect South Carolina. We dare not let it pass us by.

I will now sign the emergency moratorium.

Thank you for being here today.