BeefCast Industry

In a ruling that will reduce uncertainty about how concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are regulated, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in New Orleans stated that the US Environmental Protection Agency exceeded its "statutory authority" in requiring concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) apply for Clean Water Act permits.

"NPPC is very pleased with the 5th Circuit’s decision," said NPPC President Doug Wolf, a pork producer from Lancaster, Wis. "The court recognized a clear limit on EPA’s authority and required the agency to comply with the clean water law."

  What is yet unclear is how the EPA will respond and if any of the State environmental agencies will adjust their approach to trying to regulate CAFOs through local action.

In a ruling that will reduce uncertainty about how concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are regulated, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in New Orleans stated that the US Environmental Protection Agency exceeded its "statutory authority" in requiring concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) apply for Clean Water Act permits.

"NPPC is very pleased with the 5th Circuit’s decision," said NPPC President Doug Wolf, a pork producer from Lancaster, Wis. "The court recognized a clear limit on EPA’s authority and required the agency to comply with the clean water law."

 
What is yet unclear is how the EPA will respond and if any of the State environmental agencies will adjust their approach to trying to regulate CAFOs through local action.

The Animal Agriculture Alliance will host its tenth annual Stakeholders Summit May 5-6, 2011 in Arlington, Virginia. The Summit will bring together food and farm industry leaders to reflect on the challenges of the past decade and new opportunities to strengthen agriculture advocacy efforts in the future. Jason Shoultz, Senator Tom Carlson, Frank Luntz, Andy Dietrick, Debbie Lyons-Blythe, and Teresa Platt are some of the key speakers at the Summit.