New Study Out: Confined Animal Feeding Operations Cost Taxpayers Billions

New study by the Union of Concerned Scientists puts nail in CAFO's economic arguments, talks about benefits of alternative systems, and shows graphic photos of manure piles.

http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/cafo-costs-report-0113.html

Confined Animal Feeding Operations Cost Taxpayers Billions, New Report Finds
Science Group Calls for Policies that Reduce CAFO Subsidies and Encourage Modern, Sustainable Meat, Milk and Egg Production

WASHINGTON (April 24, 2007) – Misguided federal farm policies have encouraged the growth of massive confined animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, by shifting billions of dollars in environmental, health and economic costs to taxpayers and communities, according to a report released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). As a result, CAFOs now produce most of the nation's beef, pork, chicken, dairy and eggs, even though there are more sophisticated and efficient farms in operation.

“CAFOs aren't the natural result of agricultural progress, nor are they the result of rational planning or market forces,” said Doug Gurian-Sherman, a senior scientist in UCS's Food and Environment Program and author of the report. “Ill-advised policies created them, and it will take new policies to replace them with more sustainable, environmentally friendly production methods.”

“CAFOs Uncovered: The Untold Costs of Confined Animal Feeding Operations” enumerates the policies that have allowed CAFOs to dominate U.S. meat and dairy production. For example, it found that from 1997 to 2005 taxpayer-subsidized grain prices saved CAFOs nearly $35 billion in animal feed, which comprises a large percentage of their supply costs. Cattle operations that raise animals exclusively on pasture land do not benefit from the subsidy. (To read the full report, go to: http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/sustainable_food/cafos-uncovered.html)

The report also details how other federal policies give CAFOs hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to address their pollution problems, which stem from the manure generated by thousands, if not tens of thousands, of animals confined in a small area. The report estimates that CAFOs have received $100 million in annual pollution prevention payments in recent years through the federal Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which was established by the 2002 Farm Bill.

“If CAFOs were forced to pay for the ripple effects of harm they have caused, they wouldn't be dominating the U.S. meat industry like they are today,” said Margaret Mellon, director of UCS's Food and Environment Program. “The good news is that we can institute new policies that support animal production methods that benefit society rather than harm it.”

Instead of favoring CAFOs, the report recommends that government policies provide incentives for modern production methods that benefit the environment, public health and rural communities. The report also shows that several smart alternative production methods can offer meat and dairy at costs comparable to CAFO products.

For example, some livestock producers move beef and dairy cattle frequently to different areas of a pasture, enabling them to spread out manure, prevent overgrazing, and take advantage of grass as a cost-effective source of animal feed. Meanwhile, some hog farmers have built hog hoop barns—open-ended structures with curved roofs—as an alternative to confining the animals in cramped buildings.

“Many farmers are succeeding when they work with nature instead of against it,” said Gurian-Sherman. “These savvy producers are proving that hog hoop barns, smart pasture operations, and other alternative methods can compete with the massive CAFOs. And that's despite the fact that the cards are stacked against them.”

In addition to steering taxpayer dollars away from CAFOs, the report also urges Congress to enforce laws that encourage competition so alternative producers can get their meat and dairy to consumers as easily as CAFOs. Making CAFOs, rather than taxpayers, pay to prevent or clean up the pollution they create is also critical, Gurian-Sherman said.

Mellon noted that next week the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production is expected to issue its final report that documents the effects of intensive animal production on humans, animals, and the environment. “When taken together,” she said, “the two reports paint a grim picture of CAFOs and make strong, practical recommendations for new policies that can take us in a new, more efficient direction that will not fleece the American public.”

Iowa Farmers Union
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Ames, IA 50014
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www.iowafarmersunion.org

Dean, Carter, Gingrich, Reid Booked for The Daily Show

Comedy Central Ramps Up Political Guests for Indecision 2008

Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart announced a number of notable political figures that will appear as guests in the next two weeks as part of its “Indecision 2008” coverage.

Former President Jimmy Carter, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will all appear on the program.

Carter will appear next Monday, April 28, followed by Gingrich April 29, Dean May 1 and Reid May 5.

The Daily Show and partner program The Colbert Report have been able to draw a number of political bigwigs as part of their 2008 election coverage, including all three current presidential hopefuls.

Odor Study Vote Reveals Corporate Lobby Influence

Kristin Schaaf, Iowa
Citizens for Community Improvement 

The Iowa Senate voted last night with a 29-17-4 vote to pass
the odor study, House File 2688, a bill that requires taxpayers to foot the
bill of nearly $23 million to study factory farm odor over the next five years.
The bill passed with two amendments, which means it will go back to the House
for a final debate.

Iowans are disappointed in the legislators’ obvious catering
to the corporate agriculture lobbyists rather than listening to the needs of
everyday people. This study is nothing but a stall tactic for factory farms to
not enact clean air standards. A 2002 joint study by the University
of Iowa and Iowa
State revealed that Iowans need
clean air standards for hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which are toxic to our
health.

Our legislators have put the needs of corporate lobbyists
before the needs of everyday Iowans. It’s time for Voter Owned Iowa Clean
Elections – a system where people matter more, and money matters less. And it’s
time for our legislators to stand up for what’s right and enact policies that
benefit the common good.