Over the weekend, the Indianapolis Star ran a front page story on the growing number of Confined Animal Feeding Operations (
CAFO’s) in the state. The article’s focus is on the air quality around these large feeding operations, pointing out that Indiana has not environmental regulations coving the production of ammonia and other gases by these farms. They also do not fall under the regulation of the federal EPA, under current interpretations of environmental regulations. The EPA has agreed to hold off on considering regulating CAFO air quality until after 2007, when an industry funded air quality study is complete.
The article touches on recent controversies over these mega farms around the state, including the
Randolph County dairy farm dispute, quoting
Wayne County resident Barbara Sha Cox:
She and other residents have asked lawmakers to support a moratorium on new confined livestock farms until more is known about emission levels and potential health risks. They also want the state to consider a farmer’s past performance before issuing a permit, require that the farms be licensed and bonded and to close farms after three major violations.
By some estimates, a single farm with 5,500 cows, 11,000 hogs or 200,000 chickens could emit as much ammonia as every major industry in Marion County did in 2003. Don Lindsey built a home in rural Indiana with a dream of opening a bed and breakfast, only to see a large scale dairy operation installed in the neighborhood. Now he is considering selling out and complains of deteriorating health, attributing it to the CAFO.
But many in the state see large scale farms as a key part of Indiana’s economic future, providing a way for Indiana to compete in future livestock markets in an increasingly competitive industry:
Gov. Mitch Daniels has given the state’s new Agriculture Department the goal of doubling hog production within five years. He also signed a law limiting citizens’ ability to file nuisance lawsuits against farms and is discouraging counties from adopting regulations more stringent than the state’s.
“The governor’s message to us is to make Indiana’s agriculture a growing, vibrant part of the economy,” said Agriculture Department Director Andy Miller. “This is not to say we want a free pass for polluters.”
These changes in rural Indiana are likely unavoidable at this point. As Indiana continues to fall behind its neighbors in competing for jobs and industry, we will find that our only resource is space: Space for large livestock farms that foul the air and water, and space for dumping the garbage from our more wealthy neighbors.
Link.
This entry was posted
on Monday, June 27th, 2005 at 8:43 am and is filed under environment.
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