To: The United States House of Representatives

Governor Cooper: We Demand An Immediate Moratorium on Factory Farms!

Ban Factory Farms before tons of toxic cesspools, millions of rotting animal carcasses, and deadly pathogens destroy us!

Why is this important?

An epic catastrophe is now unfolding in North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Florence. Mass environmental devastation and tragic loss of millions of farmed animals and wildlife have been
intentionally sacrificed to protect profits for BigMeat Corporations that operate in the state.

On behalf of industry lobbyists, state legislators have gutted laws that protect animals and the environment from cruelty and neglect by BigMeat corporations. Contract farmers for BigMeat Corporations are allowed to abandon farmed animals to natural disasters such as the massive flooding caused by hurricane Florence.

In 2010, North Carolina actually banned state officials from taking into account the escalating
impacts of climate change in its coastal management strategy. State legislators have also excluded farmed animals from state animal welfare laws- so farmers can mistreat, neglect or abandon farmed animals with near full impunity.

State legislators have also protected BigMeat Corporations from environmental regulations. Factory farms are the leading source of groundwater and air pollution and devastation to wildlife
in the state. Toxic sewage loaded with bacteria like E. coli and heavy metals impacts homes, schools and churches in the region.

Over the past two years, 23 law suits have been filed by over 500 residents whose health has been affected by chronic exposure to toxic pollution by factory farms. In response, state legislators have put a cap on damages that can be awarded to citizens suffering from corporate polluters, and expanded laws to make it harder for citizens to sue BigMeat corporations.

State legislators in North Carolina have consistently favored BigMeat polluters over the health and welfare of its citizens and the protection of local environment and wildlife.

As a result of this corporate protectionism by state legislators, foreign countries like China outsource their meat production to NC, because it’s up to 50% cheaper to factory-farm animals in the state due to loose environmental and humane regulations by state legislators.

In the wake of destruction by Hurricane Florence, Governor Cooper has an unprecedented opportunity to make a stand for democratic justice and create a model of democratic reform against corporate cronyism. Please sign this petition and urge Governor Cooper to commission an independent inquiry on the full economic impacts to citizens’ health, the pollution of environment and wildlife, and the unregulated cruelty to farmed animals by BigMeat corporations in North Carolina.
Thank you.

NORTH CAROLINA FARMED ANIMAL SAVE
The SAVE Movement
JANE UNCHAINED News Media
ROWDY GIRL SANCTUARY--Rancher Advocacy Program
IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS
P.E.T.A.
ANIMAL HERO KIDS
COMPASSIONATE FARMING EDUCATION INITIATIVE
Humane Farming Association (HFA)
CLIMATE HEALERS