Farmers’ protection from discriminating environmental policies approved

Protection from discrimination in financing for North Carolina farmers is poised to reach the finish line at the General Assembly.

The Senate on Wednesday evening gave final passage to a proposal that makes it illegal for a banks “denying or canceling service for agricultural producers based on greenhouse gas emissions or use of fossil-fuel derived fertilizer or powered machinery,” says the digest from the UNC School of Government in concert with the state legislative site. Environmental, social, and governance policies in investments are often called ESG.

The Farmers Protection Act, known also as Senate Bill 554 and with a companion House Bill 62, was approved 36-11 in the upper chamber with seven Democrats in favor. House Bill 62 has been in the lower chamber’s Committee on Commerce and Economic Development since March 17.

Sens. Buck Newton and Lisa Barnes of neighboring Wilson and Nash counties, respectively, shepherded the bill. No Republicans were against it. Democrats in favor were Sens. Gale Adcock and Dan Blue of Wake County; Woodson Bradley, Mujtaba Mohammed and Joyce Waddell of Mecklenburg County; Paul Lowe of Forsyth County; and Gladys Robinson of Guilford County,

If enacted, the bill becomes law immediately.