Shannon Linderoth, Associate Editor, Dairy Herd Management  |   October 3, 2011 resize text

Sponsors of a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last week want to be crystal clear regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate livestock manure under 1980’s Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, also known as the Superfund Act.

Their message to the regulatory agency: Hands off.

H.R. 2997, also known as the Superfund Common Sense Act, was introduced by Representative Billy Long (R-MO), and would ensure that the EPA does not impose regulations intended to clean up hazardous waste sites to livestock operations. For instance, the legislation would prevent farmers from becoming liable for the cleanup of entire watersheds.

“In light of EPA’s persistence in imposing its job-killing and unnecessary regulatory agenda on the American people, I believe it is important to clarify Congress’s intent on this issue,” Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson said in a statement issued yesterday.

The bill’s co-sponsor added, “The Superfund law was never intended to regulate manure and other animal emissions as a toxic or hazardous substance. It defies common sense to presume that dairy and other producers who use manure as fertilizer should be regulated the same way as a chemical plant or mining operation.”

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Comments (2) Leave a comment 

Minnesota  |  October, 03, 2011 at 03:58 PM

And since when can a fertilizer dealer operate without concern for environmental regulation and impact? Let's face it, we aren't talking about Ma and Pa Kettle with their six milk cows and three sows here spreading a load of manure on the back 40. We are talking about CAFO units with thousands of animals and tens of thousands or more tons/gallons of manure. While a few maybe spreading on their own land, most are selling it to area farmers. At a time when fertilizer dealers and companies have to be conspicuously careful with how they handle product, why shouldn't mega-livestock operators be equally regulated as they sell their "waste" product for its nutrient and soil building value. Since when do commercial N, P and K producers or handlers get a free ride from the EPA...or Congress?

Minnesota  |  October, 03, 2011 at 03:59 PM

And since when can a fertilizer dealer operate without concern for environmental regulation and impact? Let's face it, we aren't talking about Ma and Pa Kettle with their six milk cows and three sows here spreading a load of manure on the back 40. We are talking about CAFO units with thousands of animals and tens of thousands or more tons/gallons of manure. While a few maybe spreading on their own land, most are selling it to area farmers. At a time when fertilizer dealers and companies have to be conspicuously careful with how they handle product, why shouldn't mega-livestock operators be equally regulated as they sell their "waste" product for its nutrient and soil building value. Since when do commercial N, P and K producers or handlers get a free ride from the EPA...or Congress?