Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 1/20/12

Poultry groups today submitted comments expressing concerns about a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed rule that seeks detailed information from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

The rule, proposed on Oct. 21, 2011, would require CAFOs to provide detailed location information and farm demographics for nearly all family farms that produce commercial poultry and egg products in the United States.

Officials with the National Chicken Council, the National Turkey Federation and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association disagree with the EPA’s claim that the Clean Water Act authorizes them to require such information to determine whether a CAFO is violating federal law. The poultry groups contend that none of the information EPA is seeking would even help the agency do so.

“We’re convinced the authority EPA claims … oversteps what Congress intended when the law was written,” NCC President Mike Brown.

John Starkey, president of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Associations, further contends, “Making this kind of information readily available to the public puts the safety of the food chain at an even higher risk for acts of bioterrorism, not to mention the concern for the safety and privacy of the thousands of family farmers who often live at the same location.”

EPA’s rule also asks the industry to report progress on alternative methods to improve environmental stewardship. “We are pleased EPA recognizes the benefit of developing programs that can assist poultry and egg producers with further tools to extend their stewardship efforts,” Joel Brandenberger, president of the National Turkey Federation, said. “We urge EPA to follow this course rather than initiate an information collection exercise that will do nothing to enhance water quality.”

To view the industry’s comments click here. 

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