RALEIGH -- Governor McCrory has vetoed the controversial "Ag-Gag Bill. Animal rights groups had urged McCrory to block the bill, saying it would quash undercover probes of animal cruelty or food safety violations.

Matt Rice is director of investigations for Mercy For Animals.

"With a bill like this people have to ask, 'What do North Carolina Farmers have to hide?' And by vetoing this bill I think we are sending a strong message that those who are doing the right thing have nothing to hide."

In a statement issued Friday Governor McCrory said in part "I encourage the General Assembly to reconsider this bill as soon as possible and add protections for those employees who report illegal activities directly and confidentially to the proper authorities"