Judge rules against foes of JBS pork plant expansion

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  Andrea Gantz

  A judge has denied an appeal from a group opposing an expansion at a JBS Swift pork plant in Kentucky.

  From WATTAgNet:
  An appeal filed by opponents of an expansion at a JBS Swift pork processing plant in Louisville, Kentucky, has been denied by a Kentucky judge.
  An organization known as the Butchertown Neighborhood Association (BNA) fought the Metro Board of Zoning Adjustment’s decision to allow JBS to expand the facility. BNA, which has a history of complaining about odors from the plant, claimed that the zoning board did not follow state law and local development rules. But the judge ruled in favor of JBS and the zoning board, concluding that the zoning board properly granted the permit sought by JBS.
  Glenn Price, an attorney representing JBS, said he and his client were pleased with the ruling. "Our goal remains the same, to continuously improve the performance of our operation and our standing with our partners in the community," he said.
  The Swift plant improvements include a 4,008-square-foot enclosed hog unloading chute, which would allow the animals to move from trucks to slaughter with “less shock to their systems, thereby reducing injuries to both the hogs and JBS employees.” The plant improvements were also designed to limit noise and odors. Other new features at the Swift plant include a covered break area for workers, a decorative fence, and a 162-square-foot addition to an existing building where the animals are stunned, rendered unconscious and bled. The changes have already been implemented, the plant manager said.