Wednesday, February 15, 2006
FB Says Manure Is Not a Hazardous Waste
I wonder what planet these folks live on? Have they visited a CAFO lately?
From Grassroots January issue.
http://www.nyfb.org/Grassroots/grass0106/manure.htm
Animal manure is fertilizer, not hazardous waste
United States courts should not be classifying animal manure as hazardous waste, subjecting it to the Superfund Law’s regulations and enforcement, said Steve Kouplen, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, in testimony before Congress.
“Farm Bureau firmly believes that Congress never intended that animal manure be considered a hazardous waste and regulated under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (Superfund),” Kouplen said. “Congress needs to reaffirm this now. We need some common sense that will protect us from those who would litigate us out of business.”
Kouplen is a cattle rancher from Beggs, Okla., and a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation board of directors. He recently testified before a subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Overzealous state and local government officials have charged in court that the use of animal manure as a fertilizer causes contamination and damage to natural resources, Kouplen said. Manure has been the basis for fertilizing ground since time began, he explained, and farmers are being successful in controlling runoff from manure applied to farm ground.
The courts are being asked to limit farmers’ rights to use natural fertilizer. The enforcement of CERCLA against farmers would expose them to liabilities and penalties that Congress never intended, Kouplen said.
Kouplen cited three court cases and provided extensive details about a court case filed by the Oklahoma attorney general against poultry processors. The attorney general is alleging, under CERCLA and the federal Solid Waste Disposal Act, natural resources damages to the Illinois River watershed were a result of the improper application of poultry litter as fertilizer. Poultry producers deny the contentions and point to their cooperation with state and federal agencies in filing nutrient management plans. Kouplen asked if manure is classified as hazardous waste will farmers need to incinerate it and have special permits to transport it? And, because phosphates in the manure are the main concern, will applying phosphate-based fertilizers be allowed for lawn care?
“We are not asking to be excused from meeting our environmental responsibilities under the Clean Water Act or any other applicable federal law or regulation—we are meeting them,” Kouplen said. “We are simply asking Congress to clarify what some of us felt was quite clear from the beginning—animal manure is not considered a hazardous waste under CERCLA.”
Comment: FB is lobbying to AGAIN externalize the cost of
pollution onto the tax payer. Where is the high minded conservative mantra
of personal responsibility?