Farm Bureau Says EPA Rule Not Justified

August 1, 2001

The American Farm Bureau Federation has told the Environmental Protection Agency that increased regulation of animal feeding operations is neither needed to fill a regulatory vacuum nor justified by water quality data. Farm Bureau's views were expressed this week in detailed public comments responding to the agency's proposed rulemaking for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).

"Over the decades agricultural producers have achieved extraordinary conservation gains through voluntary, incentive-based programs to conserve fragile soils, wetlands, protect water quality and wildlife habitats," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "Farm Bureau believes the current effort to expand the scope of regulation goes well beyond congressional intent and, as a matter of policy, we believe the non-point source issues of animal feeding operations are best addressed through incentive-based programs."

Farm Bureau contends that layering federal regulations on top of existing state water quality rules is not needed and would unfairly burden America's farmers and ranchers. Stallman said the addition of federal schemes would "result only in increased coordination costs for federal and state governments. This proposal would result in thousands of dollars in additional costs and would heighten regulatory burdens for farmers."

Aggressive enforcement of Clean Water Act requirements and expansion of the number of farmers needing permits could reverse years of advancements agriculture has made through voluntary, incentive-based programs. "Farm Bureau supports implementation of incentive-based programs and believes they are paying significant dividends in improved water quality," Stallman said. "We urge EPA to rethink the proposed rule and consider the development of an incentive-oriented program to address the larger issue of nutrient management and non-point source runoff."