November 15, 2011

The battle over efforts in Haverhill for a pig farming ban in the city is being plodded by a state-wide farmers group.

The non-profit Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation is urging supporters of local farms to oppose the proposed ban at Tuesday's health board meeting.

Last month the health board denied Chris Stasinos' request for licenses to raise pigs at two sites in town. The farmer has appealed the denial of the licenses in court and with the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The farmers' group says the city's efforts to ban pig farming flies in the face of the "buy local" movement.

A spokeswoman for the farm bureau said the group is concerned that Haverhill's proposed pig farm ban will encourage other communities to ban agricultural practices.