A group of Mississippi farmers and enviros are pushing forward with a $75 million class-action lawsuit against big hog producers for releasing pollutants that have made dozens of people sick. The suit, filed against Prestage Farms and several of its subcontractors, would compensate 160 families that live near hog farms, processing plants, and meat packers. The families claim that pollution from the sites has lead to unusually high incidents of migraines, asthma, and other illnesses. Jim Norman, a local cotton farmer: "The stench can give you diarrhea and sinus headaches. It’s like living inside a gutter." For the past three years, nearby residents have sought stricter regulations for hog farms.
