News in brief: The US EPA plans to review livestock regulations, evaluating their effectiveness and considering recommendations from experts, while rejecting petitions for immediate change from environmental groups seeking stricter rules for large livestock farms.
The United Statesâ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has promised to evaluate existing livestock regulations in the country to determine revision if, and where, necessary.
However, it affirmed that it had denied petitions from environment groups seeking revision of existing rules. The groups want the rules to be revised to strengthen regulation of large livestock farms that release manure and other pollutants into waterways.
In a statement, the agency said it will conduct a comprehensive evaluation before taking appropriate action, if needed. The EPAâs Assistant Administrator, Radhika Fox, said it would look closely at its program from farms and existing pollution limits.
Furthermore, she added that the agency would consider recommendations from a panel of experts consisting of representatives of agriculture, environmental groups and researchers. They are expected to hold a number of meetings within 12 to 18 months to discuss the issues.
Representatives of environment groups are, however, not confident in the agencyâs abilities to deliver. They highlighted the dangers of discharges from factory farms, describing them as threats to clean water.
They also observed that the EPA had not revised its regulations on farms since 2008, which are now weak and have left most of the industry unregulated.
Runoff of wastes and fertilisers from farms, they say, foul streams, rivers and lakes. They have also been noted for being the leading causes of algae blooms that constitute hazards in many waterways.
US Federal law requires large farms or Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) to obtain a permit before waste discharges, which are known as federal pollution permits. Farms with the necessary permit, according to records, number only 6,406 out of a nationwide figure of 21,539.
Farm operations, from barns and feedlots, to manure storage facilities, manure and wastewater discharge areas, are under the agencyâs purview.
EPA’s requirements prohibit CAFOs from releasing wastes in waterways except on occasions of severe rainfall. The agency has promised study the extent to which large farms pollute waters and whether the problem is nationwide or concentrated in particular areas. It also promised to look into new technologies and practices that might bring improvements.
