U.S.A.
A Farm Service Agency exemption for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) under 1,000 animal units has been vacated by a federal court. In 2016, the agency adopted a rule that exempted CAFOs with fewer than 2,500 pigs, 1,000 head of beef cattle, 700 dairy cows, 125,000 chickens, or 55,000 turkeys from environmental review.
A judge ruled that the exemption violated the National Environmental Policy Act. Now, those farms that receive USDA loans will be required to have an environmental assessment.
This article appeared in the August 2023 issue of Journal of Nutrient Management on pages 9. Not a subscriber? Click to get the print magazine.
