Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

an operation that houses and feeds a large number of animals in a confined area for 45 days or more during any 12-month period

Animal Feeding Operation

a lot or facility where animals have been stables, are currently stabled or will be stables or confined and fed or maintained for a total of 45 days or more in any 12 month period; and where crops, vegetation forage growth, or post-harvest residues are not sustained over any portion of the lot or facility in the normal growing season

Confined Animal Feeding Operation

in addition to being an AFO, there are more than 300 animal units confined and there is a discharge to the waters of the commonwealth, or there are more than 1,000 animal units confined

1970’s

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began regulating CAFOs during the ____.

-lead to economies of scale and allow for profits at lower slaughterhouse prices

-large meat packing operations desire to deal with large operators

-extremely efficient

Benefits of CAFOs

-large concentration of waste/dead animals in a small area can post many ethical and environmental problems

-groundwater contamination

-air pollution

Issues with CAFOs

lagoons

The government acknowledges the waste disposal issue and requires that animal waste be stored in ______.

Public Health concerns with CAFOs

chronic and acute respiratory illnesses, odor, flies, infections that travel from animals to humans