U.S. poultry industry pleased with CAFO ruling

Jul. 23, 2012. Tucker, GA – The U.S. poultry industry signaled its satisfaction in response to EPA’s final action on a 2011 proposed rule that would have required Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) to submit information to the Agency regardless of whether or not they discharge to a water of the United States. The rule would have required CAFOs to provide detailed location information and farm demographics for virtually every family farm engaged in the production of commercial poultry and egg products in the United States.

The 2011 proposed rule was in response to a settlement agreement reached with environmental petitioners in 2010, which required EPA to take final action by July 13, 2012. In announcing the final action, the Agency pointed out that although collecting CAFO information is important, the Agency believes an efficient approach that does not duplicate efforts is the appropriate next step. EPA will collect CAFO information using existing sources of information, including state National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) programs and other programs at the federal, state, and local level to help ensure CAFOs are implementing practices that protect water quality.

The poultry industry is pleased that EPA recognized the burden the proposed rule would place on the industry. Furthermore, the poultry industry appreciates that the agency heard the concerns voiced by industry during the comment period and accepted the recommendation to collect this information from existing sources.

The poultry industry’s comments submitted on the proposed EPA information collection rule can be
viewed at: http://www.uspoultry.org/positionpapers/docs/Poultry%20Industry%20Comments%20- %20EPAs%20CAFO%20Information%20Collection%20Rule.pdf.

About U.S. Poultry & Egg Association

U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is an all-feather organization representing the complete spectrum of today’s poultry industry, with a focus on progressively serving member companies through research, education, communication, and technical assistance. Founded in 1947, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is based in Tucker, GA.

About the National Chicken Council

The National Chicken Council (NCC) represents integrated chicken producer-processors, the companies that produce and process chickens. Member companies of NCC account for more than 95 percent of the chicken sold in the United States.

About the National Turkey Federation

The National Turkey Federation (NTF) is the national advocate for all segments of the $14 billion turkey industry, providing services and conducting activities that increase demand for its members’ products by protecting and enhancing their ability to profitably provide wholesome, high-quality, nutritious products.