Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Fix sought for manure designation in CERCLA law

A press conference is being held tomorrow that will serve to discuss introduction of legislation to clarify a law that "unintentionally impacts America's farmers and ranchers," according to a news release from House Agriculture Committee chairman Collin Peterson. Peterson is one of several members of Congress to participate in the 2 p.m. presser.
From the release:

The bipartisan legislation would clarify that livestock manure, which many agricultural producers utilize in their traditional farming practices, is not classified as a hazardous waste under CERCLA, otherwise known as the "Superfund law."
If normal animal manure is found to be a hazardous substance under Superfund law, then virtually every farm operation in the country could be potentially exposed to liabilities and penalties under the Superfund law, an outcome Congress never intended.
TK: While the legislation to exempt animal manure from the Superfund requirements is strongly backed by agricultural interests, there will be a fight from environmentalists. See this link for some background on the issue, including the court case brought against 14 dairy farms by the the city of Waco in 2004 that first sparked concern about CERCLA.

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