Detailed Notes on the 2025 North Carolina Farm Bill

Context: The North Carolina Senate Committee on Agriculture, Energy and Environment voted favorably on the Farm Act on April 30, 2025.
Sponsors: Key sponsors include state Senators Brent Jackson (R-Sampson), Lisa Barnes (R-Nash), and Norman Sanderson (R-Pamlico).
Purpose Statement: Commissioner Steve Troxler emphasizes that the bill aims to correct issues and address recurring matters in the agricultural sector.

The bill is composed of 19 sections, each encompassing various regulations and reforms affecting the agricultural landscape of North Carolina.

Strategic Water Plan Update: Requires the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) to revise its strategic water plan last updated in 2010.
Real-Estate Disclosure Requirements: All real-estate sales must disclose proximity to agricultural districts to inform potential buyers of agricultural influences in the vicinity.
Special-Use Permits: The authority to deny special-use permits for projects that may adversely affect agricultural production is clarified and expanded.

Swine Farm Violations: The existing violation point system for swine farms has been repealed.
Technical Updates: Adjustments made to farm-siting regulations and eligibility criteria for cost-share programs concerning animal-waste fertilizer.

Student Participation: The bill mandates educational institutions to excuse students participating in agricultural or equestrian activities.

High-Hazard Burn List Updates: Pender and New Hanover counties are added to this list.
Pesticide Board Adjustments: Adjustments to annual assessments by the Pesticide Board are highlighted.

Safety Inspections: The authority of the agriculture commissioner over liquid petroleum gas safety inspections is expanded.
Communication Lines Study: A previous study focused on low-hanging communication lines is reinstated.
Aquaculture Regulations: Introduction of a tiered penalty system for violations within shellfish aquaculture operations.
Forest Service Law Enforcement Jurisdiction: Jurisdiction expanded to allow better enforcement without imposing constraints on local agencies. Troxler notes the importance of ensuring law enforcement has the necessary authority in high-contact events, such as the Mountain State Fair and the State Fair, where approximately 2.5 million people are in attendance annually.

Crop Larceny Violations: Previously minor offenses for repeated crop theft are elevated to felony status, with a minimum fine set at $500.
Liability Protections: Introduces liability protections for pesticide manufacturers, as well as a rebuttable presumption against inefficiency claims unless substantial proof is presented.

Repeal of Raw Milk Distribution Rights: New findings that avian influenza can be transmitted through unpasteurized milk lead to the repeal of regulations allowing personal raw milk distribution.
Health Risks Statement: Troxler explains the increased risks associated with raw milk consumption, citing confirmed detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in raw milk. He stresses that while immediate contracting of HPAI isn't guaranteed, the potential for virus mutation increases with consumption, creating a broader public health concern.
Economic Implications for Small Farmers: Emphasizes that the rise in health risks linked to raw milk also presents economic burdens to small-scale dairy farmers as insurance companies may not cover related illness costs.

Editorial by Donald Bryson (John Locke Foundation CEO): Advocates for the right to choose raw milk consumption by drawing parallels to purchasing raw animal products in stores, arguing against a double standard. He asserts that consumers should be trusted to make informed choices regarding raw milk, urging scrutiny of the inconsistencies in regulatory approaches.