Georgia Debates Further Loosening Handling Of Hog Manure From CAFOS, Weakening Water Laws
ATLANTA — Georgia would loosen rules meant to prevent hog manure from washing into streams and rivers under a proposal before regulators, but critics argue environmental harm would come from the plan touted by backers as a way to help level the economic playing field.
Members of the state Board of Natural Resources today are to discuss the proposal, which would raise the threshold at which farmers must comply with tougher and more expensive environmental rules from 7,500 pigs to 12,500 pigs for animals weighing 55 pounds or more. The same threshold for hogs weighing less than 55 pounds would rise from 30,000 to 50,000 pigs. A vote is expected before the end of the year.
Agriculture industry leaders say treating hogs differently from other livestock unfairly deters expansion in the pork industry. They say changing the rules will not result in additional pollution. “The real question is why are we treating swine different than other types of livestock produced in the state of Georgia?” said Bryan Tolar, president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, a lobbying group for the farming industry. “We’ve been asking that question for a long time.”
Environmental groups say the changes are part of continuing pressure to roll back environmental rules to the benefit of industry.
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http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/23448521/article-Ga--Board-of-Natural-Resources-debates-hog-farm-pollution-rules
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