Issues: CAFOs & Zoning

Corporate livestock facilities, termed concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), pose significant threats to community health and environmental well-being. Manure from CAFOs carries over 150 pathogens, risking water contamination. Airborne pollutants, including fumes and particulate matter, contribute to respiratory issues in farmworkers and nearby residents. Nitrates from animal waste contaminate drinking water and contribute to ecological dead zones. To manage crowded conditions, routine antibiotic use is common, aggravating global antibiotic resistance.

While theoretically regulated by the EPA under the Clean Water Act, a decade of NRDC research reveals inadequate monitoring, with the EPA lacking essential information about CAFOs. This information gap hampers effective regulation. The NRDC advocates for state intervention, proposing a permit system to monitor and regulate CAFOs, aiming to safeguard citizens and the environment from these health threats left largely unaddressed by federal agencies.

Over the past few decades, livestock farming has shifted from smaller, family-owned farms to large, efficient corporate operations. Technological advancements, improved breeding, and specially formulated feeds have increased productivity. The modern agricultural system favors larger farms, leading to increased profits on less land. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) represent a specific type of large-scale industrial agricultural facility, raising animals at high density for meat, eggs, or milk consumption. CAFOs, regulated under the Clean Water Act, face a history of legal challenges and revisions.

CAFOs, when well-managed, can offer a cost-effective source of meat, milk, and eggs due to efficient practices and specialization. They are argued to enhance local economies, creating jobs and stimulating economic activities. However, concerns exist regarding environmental and health effects, including water pollution and the impact on nearby communities. The regulatory landscape has evolved over the years, with ongoing discussions about proper management, location, and monitoring of CAFOs to balance economic benefits with environmental and public health considerations.