U.S. Pork Industry Committed to Protecting Air, Water, other Resources

September 11, 2007 — 

The National Pork Producers Council in written testimony submitted today urged lawmakers to give pending environmental policy changes related to concentrated animal feeding operations a chance to take effect before considering additional legislation.

NPPC's comments were submitted to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, which held a hearing Sept. 6 on the livestock and poultry industries' effects on air and water quality and on public health. Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., convened the hearing over concerns about "significant environmental and health issues that stem from" concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

In its testimony, NPPC pointed out that the concerns are either being addressed or have been proved unfounded. With regard to water and air quality, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency is set to issue later this year a new rule on discharges from CAFOs, and the agency is conducting an emissions study of livestock operations to help set air standards for farms.

Chris Chinn, an NPPC member and pork producer from Missouri, testified that the livestock industry already is "highly regulated" and faces "some of the most stringent fines and enforcement actions."

The Environmental Protection Agency is set to finalize a rule later this year on discharges from CAFOs that will set a goal of zero discharges from livestock operations. In addition, the pork industry has been working closely with environmental regulators to conduct a nationwide study of air emissions from livestock operations to help set air standards for farms.

"The U.S. pork industry's top goal is to meet worldwide consumer demand while protecting water, air and other environmental resources that are in its care or potentially affected by its operations," said Randy Spronk, chairman of NPPC's Environment Committee and a pork producer from Edgerton,Minn. "We are committed to protecting our environment."

Source:
NPPC Press Release, Sept. 10, 2007