| EPA Finalizes Barn-Sized Exemption in Emission Rules |
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| Written by Kiki Hubbard | |
| Monday, 15 December 2008 | |
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The EPA has made its position on regulating factory farm emissions official. And its position is this: We're not going to do it. The agency issued a new regulation on Friday that exempts factory farms from reporting hazardous air pollution to the federal government, calling such reporting "unnecessary" because "Federal, State or local response officials are unlikely to respond to notifications of air releases of hazardous substances from animal waste at farms" anyway. That statement is a little...um...disheartening. OK, well maybe EPA doesn't think it needs the data but communities and farm workers seeking recourse for health problems resulting from factory farm pollution need this record to hold the culprits accountable. A quick review: gases released from animal waste include hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. Livestock operations generate about two-thirds of the ammonia emissions reported each year, and the concentration of these and other toxic gases leads to respiratory problems in farm workers and nearby residents, as cited in a recent lawsuit we told you about. Two hopeful pieces remain, however: 1. Local authorities demanded they know about the sources of emissions that might cause respiratory problems or deaths. "Their views prevailed," reports the Washington Post. Judging by the rule, it looks like there is still some degree of local and state reporting of farm emissions. 2. This rule will almost certainly be revisited by the new administration and Congress. Senator Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who chairs the Agriculture Committee previously said that EPA "needed to formulate a common-sense answer" that recognizes difference between animal production and chemical factories. He now criticizes the Bush administration's new rule for being finalized before the completion of a two-year, $14 million study launched last year. The study is focusing on air pollution from farms. Sources: Washington Post, EPA
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It's true what our moms said...we are what we eat. In fact, it's truer than they thought. What I eat doesn't just affect me anymore, it affects all of us.
Unfortunately, the story of food can sometimes be complicated. But envirovores help each other out...which is why this blog will be bringing you news, tips, and information about food and the environment every step of the way.
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