North Dakota to Decide Anti-Corporate Farming Exemption

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Legislature is slated to consider one of the most contentious bills of the session on Monday.

The so-called "ham-and-cheese" bill would exempt dairy and swine operations from the state's eight decades-old anti-corporate farming law.

The measure already has been approved by the Senate. But the House delayed action on the bill last week because of a technical problem with wording in the bill that defines an animal feeding operation.

Supporters of the bill say it will help save dying dairy and declining swine industries in the state. Opponents say the current law blocks unfair competition from big, out-of-state corporations.