Rendering plants can't be a nuisance under legislation
ATLANTA - Animal rendering plants have been the subject of court cases and citizen complaints in several parts of the state. Now, a proposal before the state Senate would prevent neighbors from suing them for being a nuisance. State law protects farms and livestock ranches from being sued by neighbors for bad smells, loud noise and other activity that could disturb them. A bill by Sen. Casey Cagle, R-Gainesville, would give rendering plants the same protections.After meat is processed and packaged for humans to eat, the remains of the carcasses are shipped to rendering plants. There, animal fat is cooked into oils for products like soap and other remains are used to make fertilizer, animal food and other products.
Cagle, whose hometown is one of the nation's leading poultry producers, says he believes the plants should already be protected under the law and his bill merely clarifies that.
7 February 2005
1 minute read
