Source: Susan Kelly, MEATINGPLACE, 11/1/17


The Environmental Protection Agency has released guidance for farmers to report air releases of hazardous substances from animal waste at farms, as the Nov. 15 deadline for farms to report the information approaches.

While announcing the guidelines, Administrator Scott Pruitt said the agency is continuing to examine its options for reporting requirements for animal waste emissions.

“EPA is working diligently to address undue regulatory burden on American farmers,” Pruitt said in the news release. “EPA’s guidance is designed to help farmers comply with the current requirements.”

EPA will revise the guidance, as necessary, to reflect additional information to assist farm owners and operators to meet reporting obligations. Interested parties may submit comments or suggestions by Nov. 24.

In April, the D.C. Circuit Court vacated a final rule, published in December 2008, that had exempted farms from reporting air releases of hazardous substances from animal waste.

Unless the court delays the reporting date, all farms, including those previously exempted, that have releases of hazardous substances to the air from animal wastes that are equal to or greater than the reportable quantities within any 24-hour period must begin reporting these releases on Nov. 15, EPA said.

In September, EPA’s Office of the Inspector General faulted the agency for not developing methods for estimating airborne emissions from farms.

More information on EPA’s new guidance can be viewed here.

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