New Study Out: Confined Animal Feeding Operations Cost Taxpayers Billions
By the IFU
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
PO Box 8988
Ames, IA 50014
1-800-775-5227
FAX 832-575-5227
info@iowafarmersunion.org
www.iowafarmersunion.org
|
||||
|
Open Thread Recent Articles
Search
BFIA Writer's Guidelines We welcome Submissions Login Sunlight Seeker
Daily Archive Recent Visitors
Sam Garchik - Thu 08 May 2008 09:31 AM CDT
no4gman - Tue 29 Apr 2008 01:07 AM CDT
jasongrandon23 - Thu 24 Apr 2008 09:26 PM CDT
ChrisLedman - Tue 15 Apr 2008 07:45 AM CDT
AdaWakeman - Sun 06 Apr 2008 08:08 PM CDT
Powered by BlogHarbor
 |
Monday, April 28
New Study Out: Confined Animal Feeding Operations Cost Taxpayers Billions
by
Sam Garchik
on Mon 28 Apr 2008 09:38 AM CDT
Thursday, April 10
Kill the Odor Study Bill!
by
Sam Garchik
on Thu 10 Apr 2008 10:43 PM CDT
Kill the Odor Study Bill!
By Kristin Schaaf Thanks for all your efforts to contact legislators - we're making a big impact! Because of your calls and emails, House leadership is squirming to find a way to pass the bad Odor Study bill (House File 2688 & Senate File 2362). They have moved the bill out of the House Appropriations Committee (Jo Oldson's committee) to the Ways and Means Committee, and it is now going to the House floor. It could be debated in the House as early as Monday morning. And it will more than likely be debated in the Senate soon. We need to keep the calls and emails coming! Even if you've called your representatives - we urge you to contact them again. Other legislators and lobbyists will continue to try to sway their vote. We need to keep our message out front - no taxpayer money for an odor study! Our message is: 1. Kill the odor study bill 2. Iowans to not want or need another study - listen to your constituents 3. Stop catering to the factory farm industry Contact your legislators today! By following this link, you can contact your House and Senate Representatives, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, House Speaker Pat Murphy, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Governor Culver - all in one email. Or put in a call to your legislators - a personal call will be that much more effective: Senate Switchboard, 515-281-3371 House Switchboard, 515-281-3221 Also, here are direct lines for key leadership: Gronstal, 515-281-3901; Murphy, 515-281-5566; McCarthy, 515-281-7497; and Governor Culver, 515-281-5211. Please reply to this email and let us know if you make any calls. We need to stand up to corporate power and say enough's enough. Iowans are tired of catering to the factory farm industry and don't want our taxpayer dollars funding unnecessary studies. How else can you make an impact? Join us at the Capitol Wednesday, April 16 for a press conference at 10 am - meet us in the first floor rotunda and look for the black CCI T-shirts. We'll lobby our legislators following the press conference until noon. Help us get the message out: We need to get calls to other members, urging them to contact their legislators now to kill the odor study. If you're can make 10-20 calls, let us know by replying to this email. Forward this email to your friends and family who are concerned about the issue. The more people taking action the better. Take action - let's kill the odor study bill today! Wednesday, March 26
Follow Up on CAFO Bill: Iowans’ Protests Stall Odor Study Bill
by
Sam Garchik
on Wed 26 Mar 2008 08:59 AM CDT
Follow Up on CAFO Bill: Iowans’ Protests Stall Odor Study Bill
By ICCI Bill Pulled from House Debate amid Calls from Hundreds Hundreds of members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Iowans from across the state contacted their legislators and pushed key House leaders to say no to the odor study bill, HF2652 & SF2362, just prior to the debate in the House last night, which led to its stalled passage and move to the House Appropriations Committee. Because House leadership did not want a divisive debate, the bill’s move to the Appropriations Committee will likely stall the bill, keeping it alive beyond the March 28 funnel. “This was a huge victory,” said CCI member Norma Countryman of Des Moines. “Our legislators know that Iowans are tired of handing over our taxpayer dollars to factory farms so that they might begin to fix the problems they create. Twenty-three million taxpayer dollars should not fund an unnecessary study.” “The odor study is simply a stall tactic for factory farms to avoid enforcing clean air standards,” said CCI member Vern Tigges from Carroll. “Studies have already been done that have shown we need clean air standards for hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which are toxic to our health. Our legislators have heard this message loud and clear.” At a meeting March 4 in which CCI members met with Governor Culver, where he heard concerns from Iowans on the proposed $23 million odor study for which taxpayers would foot the bill, Culver was open to other methods of improving our state’s air and water quality, “Maybe we could use [the money] for something else.” Members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement say they will continue to contact their legislators, specifically the Appropriations Committee, to not pass the odor study bill. They will also lobby their legislators at the Capitol April 1. Monday, March 24
ACTION ALERT on CAFOs
by
Sam Garchik
on Mon 24 Mar 2008 08:09 AM CDT
ACTION ALERT on CAFOs
By the IFU LEGISLATORS ARE NOW MAKING DECISIONS ON THE BUDGET FOR 2008-09 . I HOPE YOU WILL ALL TAKE THE TIME THIS WEEK TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS, GOV. CULVER AND LT. JUDGE TO URGE THEM NOT TO FUND THE ODOR STUDY. THIS WILL COST THE TAXPAYERS OF IOWA $22.8 MILLION OVER 5 YEARS. LET THE INDUSTRY PAY. OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS APPROXIMATELY 2550 NEW CAFOS (450 A YEAR ACCORDING TO DNR DIRECTOR LEOPOLD) WILL BE BUILT WHILE THE STATE DOES NOTHING TO RAISE STANDARDS. THERE IS NOT EVEN A GUARANTEE THAT NEW REQUIREMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED AFTER THE STUDY IS CONCLUDED. EMAIL the governor and lt. governor Gov. Culver's email is chet.culver@iowa.gov Lt. Gov. Judge's email is patty.judge@iowa.gov Tuesday, March 18
DNR Denies 3,600 Head Dairy Factory Proposal in Woodbury County
by
Sam Garchik
on Tue 18 Mar 2008 07:21 AM CDT
DNR Denies 3,600 Head Dairy Factory Proposal in Woodbury County
By ICCI This week, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) preliminarily denied the construction permit for Jersey North LLP, a highly controversial dairy factory proposed in Woodbury County that riled hundreds of local residents to action. The underlying reason for denial, according to DNR Director Rich Leopold, was that: “these plans, as submitted, would pose a substantial risk to the environment if constructed.” Based out of California, Jersey North LLP applied in January for a construction permit to build a 3,600 head dairy factory just outside the city of Lawton. A month later, as a result of overwhelming public opposition, the Woodbury County Supervisors sent their recommendation that DNR deny the application. Members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) and other local residents led the fight and opposed the construction of this dairy factory for a number of reasons. Proposed to be built on highly-erodible fields with steep slopes – there was concern that this operation would result in erosion and manure spills that would contaminate two adjacent waterways. On top of that, the proposed earthen lagoons would hold 55.4 million gallons of manure and sit vulnerable to wind and rain at 50ft above ground at its highest point. With 52 residences within a two mile radius of the proposed site, there was also fear that this site would inevitably have negative impacts on the health, the property values, the roads, and the general quality of life within the community. Beyond just sending in their comments, representatives from the community brought their concerns directly to DNR state headquarters when CCI met with Environmental Services Division Administrator Wayne Gieselman at their Rally and Lobby Day on March 4th. In the end, their commitment paid off. “Hopefully DNR’s recent denial of Jersey North’s permit to build a large dairy factory will set a precedent for opposition and protection of the environment within Iowa,” said Kevin Miller, a CCI member and Lawton resident who lives close to the proposed site. “I believe this is a strong message to Jersey North and other large factory farms that Woodbury County is not the place to look for future proposals – the growing communities and the vulnerable soils provide strong reasons for opposition.” Thursday, January 3
We Must TAKE Our Country Back!
by
Caroline Vernon
on Thu 03 Jan 2008 03:12 PM CST
We Must TAKE Our Country Back! By Caroline Vernon Whether it’s health care,
the cost of education, our environment or global trade, Corporate America is holding
us all hostage to the almighty dollar. Greed continues to trump need as corporations
make record profits while more and more Americans fall into poverty every year.
Congress allows industry to write policy, and legislators don’t even read the
bills they enact. The average person would lose their job for gross negligence.
The pharmaceutical/insurance lobbies make billions on the grief of others, systematically
denying people essential treatment or drugs in order to save a buck. Half of
our taxpayer money goes to the Pentagon who “loses” over a trillion dollars and
“it’s nothing but a thing” yet we
have to beg to fund health care for our children. Agri-Business dominates at the
expense of our environment and health as 85% of our food is now genetically
modified, our meat is ridden with hormones and antibiotics, and pesticides have
permeated the water table. Global trade agreements allow corporations to
exploit for profit with no safeguards in place for workers or the environment. It is our moral imperative
to stand up and say no more! John Edwards seems to be the only candidate that
understands that we have to make an aggressive push to take our country back –
the key word being “take”. While it is important to be able to bring everyone
to the table, we can’t continue to allow Corporate America to eat all the food.
Which comes down to,
follow the money… Edwards and Obama are my
two top picks but there are some important distinctions to be made here. I think
Obama is awesome and I will support him whole
heartedly if he gets the Democratic nod, but as an activist, and more
importantly as a mother and your sister, there is way too much at stake in this election, not
only for our country but for the planet. Corporate The current energy bill before Congress may have 10 billion dollars allocated
toward renewable energy, and that rocks, but if you look at the whole pie, it’s
too little too late! 25 billion is allocated for guaranteed loans to build new
nuclear sites and billions more for coal fired plants. I mean, this is what I
am talking about people… Corporate Corporate America has had the resources and the necessary information to create new technologies for decades. Rather than doing the right thing, and truly be leaders of innovation, much of their resources have been spent preventing said technologies from entering the marketplace because, God forbid, that could hurt their bottom line. If their shareholders weren't so blinded by their own greed, they would be able to recognize the incredible opportunity that is presenting itself NOW. Corporate America and our elected officials could simply CHOOSE to lead this necessary technological revolution, but it remains to be seen.... so it's up to us. We must TAKE our
country back! Thursday, June 7
The Progressive Iowa Network Organizing Summit
by
Caroline Vernon
on Thu 07 Jun 2007 01:20 PM CDT
The Progressive Iowa Network
Organizing Summit Saturday, June 9, 2007 Iowa City Public Library Agenda: 1. Welcome 2. Introductions 3. Why a Progressive Network is important for Iowa 4. Democracy for America – Support for Iowa’s Progressive Network 5. 2007 Iowa Legislative Review (Legislators) 6. Overview of Top Progressive Legislative Priorities (Progressive Activists) 7. Envisioning Progressive Power in Iowa (Ed Fallon & Denise O'Brien) 8. Break 9. Top Progressive Legislative Issues - Workshops VOICE (Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections) CAFO/Farm Bill Health Care Media Reform Fair Share 10. Lunch 11. Workshop Reports 12. Progressive Iowa Network – Next Steps 13. Democracy for Iowa – Administrative overview 14. Adjournment Please note: If you are interested in discussing potential state-wide initiatives that will pressure our Congress to end the war in Iraq, please come to this event. Peace groups can strategize during the workshop hour (#9) and also report back to the larger group after lunch. This will be an excellent opportunity for all of us to be united for peace. We will start gathering at 9am - coffee and bagels / breakfast treats. The summit will begin promptly at 9:30am. Please let us know if you intend to come: Please RSVP: http://www.dfalink.com/event |
Iowa Sites Child & Family Policy Center - Iowa Genetic Engineering Action Network Iowa Citizen Action Network - ICAN Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility Iowa Public Interest Research Group Midwest Environmental Justice Advocates Progressive Action for the Common Good Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa QCAD (Quad-Citians Affirming Diversity - GLBT) Iowa Blogs The Deprogrammer (Quad Cities) Iowa True Blue (Gordon Fischer's Blog) Iowa Voters for Open and Transparent Elections Political FalloutFight Iowa Rapid Response Network - Iowa
Iowans for Better Local TV
Air America
The Counterpoint
National FAIR: Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting
Media Matters for America
|
||
|
||||