Dairylea, DFA Voice
(Continued from Page 56)
ards for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
(CAFOs).
Dairylea and DFA’s Northeast Council joined the
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC)
and National Milk Producers (NMP) in submitting
comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) outlining their concerns that if enacted
the increased federal regulation of animal feeding op
erations (AFOs) will place significant burdens on
farmers.
The organizations continue to work together to pro
vide their members with representation on legislative
issues at all levels.
“These new regulations put the burden of proof and
the burden of cost on America’s already financially
taxed agricultural operators/farmers,” said Dairylea’s
President Clyde Rutherford. “We would like to see
legislative policy that provides for expanded technical
and financial assistance when more stringent regula
tions are to be enacted.”
The proposed changes to CAFO policy would be the
first made since the passage of the Clean Water Act in
the early 19705. Among the key changes are modifying
the definition of a CAFO, elimination of the 25-
year/24-hour storm permit exemption, land applica
tion of manure and assessment of direct hydrological
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connection to surface water.
Dairylea and DFA’s Northeast Council believe that
the proposed legislation exceeds congressional author
ity as outlined in the Clean Water Act (CWA) and is
not justified by reliable water quality data.
“The regulations currently proposed by the EPA
have exceeded the intent of the CWA and are not
needed,” said Lew Gardner, DFA’s Northeast Council
chairman. .
“The EPA needs to conduct further research to col
lect reliable water quality data and to more accurately
identify the economic costs associated with implemen
tation of the proposed regulations.”
Gardner added that the cooperatives support re
taining the current method of defining a CAFO and
full implementation of current rules before expanding
the scope.
“Our members and other operators have made sub
stantial investments in environmental protection over
the past decades,” said Gardner.
“Many have done so through voluntary, incentive
based programs. These successes can be attributed to
regulations currently enforced.”
The EPA will consider the input received during its
comment period and is to release final regulations on
December 15,2002.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to comment on
this important legislative matter,” said Rutherford.
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