HOG CONFINEMENT PUBLIC DISCUSSION IN REYNOLDS, ILLINOISMonday, September 26th, 2005 saw more than 150 people gather at 6:30pm in the Reynolds, IL American Legion hall to gather information about HOG CONFINEMENTS.
For those unfamiliar, a CONENTRATED ANIMAL CONFINEMENT OPERATION (CAFO) is a building or location which houses hogs, chickens, turkeys, cattle or other animals in close quarters for possible high money return for the farmer and the corporation with which they may have a contract. See www.farmweb.org
In Reynolds, IL, the public meeting is one of similar gatherings going on all across the country in states whose citizens come to obtain information on this complex issue.
Jim O'Leary is constructing a hog confinement building or buildings approximately 1¼ miles east of this town of about 750 residents. The meeting was hosted by ConfinementFamilies Against Animal Threats (FAACT). One of the two guest speakers was KAREN HUDSON, a farmer from Peoria County, IL. Her family farm is close to a SMITHFIELD hog factory in Knox County. Smithfield is a Virginia-based company.
Karen was appointed to the IL House/Senate Joint Livestock Committee in 1997. She is president of F AMILIES AGAINST RURAL MESSES (FARM) which organized in the fall of 1996. She is also a board member of the IL Stewardship Alliance and a consultant for the GRACE Factory Farm Project. Karen stressed she eats meat and has a freezer full of beef and chicken and knows the families that raise these animals SUSTAINABLY.
Ms. Hudson described that she became active in educating others when a huge hog confinement came to her county. THE LAGOON WHICH COVERED MORE THAN 8 ACRES AND HELD THE HOGS' WASTE WAS BEING PUMPED INTO DRY AREAS OF LAND. WASTE WAS FLOWING INTO A LAKE. THE LAGOON WAS SANDBAGGED BECAUSE IT HAD GOTTEN SO FULL.
THE MANAGER OF THIS FACILITY ENDED UP PUMPING BETWEEN 2,000,000 AND 10,000,000 GALLONS OF THIS SEWAGE ON TO THE LAND.
Neighbors complained of awful smells (HYDROGEN SULFIDE AND AMMONIA mostly) and increased illnesses. The IL Attorney General had to step in. The manager was cited by the state and faces nearly $50,000 a day fines and possible jail time.
THE HEALTH RISKS are the main concern of many people who do not wish to see this facility completed. NOISE is also a concern of others. Neighbors of another facility also owned by Mr. O'Leary have complained of the awful NOISE coming from the squealing, screaming hogs.
According to information in "Facing The Facts, Reasons For Concerns" compiled by FAACT, "We have heard that the water table in our area has already been dropping one foot per year. We have also been told that this (proposed) confinement will use approximately 5000 gallons of water per day. Keep in mind that the extra use will affect not only those living next to this facility, but the entire town of Reynolds as well…."
"An IOWA study evaluated the health of 18 neighbors living within a two mile radius of a hog confinement. The neighbors reported health problems similar to those of confinement workers. Symptoms reported were bronchitis, coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, nausea, weakness, dizziness, and fainting. Many confinement workers have died after being overcome by hydrogen sulfide fumes while working in or around manure holding tanks."
Large ventilation fans pump the hydrogen sulfide and ammonia and other gases out the buildings ending up in the atmosphere outside. Brain damage and central nervous system damage can result. THE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE ARE THE CHILDREN.
The FAACT brochure also states, " In 1995, Julie Jansen, who operated a day care center in Minnesota, was advised to take the children away from the home after they were suffering from nausea, diarrhea, headaches and other symptoms of hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Hog factories, more than a mile from her home, were contaminating the air."
"Confinements of this size are truly INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS PRODUCING AS MUCH OR MORE WASTE THAN ENTIRE TOWNS. HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO INDUSTRIAL LAWS OR REGULATIONS. They only have to follow the agriculture laws that were originally put in to place to govern the smaller family farms. Ironically, these large-scale facilities have made it virtually impossible for the smaller farmers to compete and HAVE HELPED END THE FARMING CAREERS OF MOST OF THEM."
More on this on-going issue later.
PLEASE, don't forget to CPR: CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE...especially PARTICIPATE