Oregon residents have until July 22 to submit comments on the implementation of regulations set forth by Senate Bill 85, which was passed last year and targets confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) of all sizes. Environmental extremist groups have backed the bill under the guise of improving water quality by further regulating water use – even drinking water for livestock – and manure management. These kinds of modern facilities are already governed by numerous laws to ensure the humane treatment of animals and proper environmental protection practices. The additional regulatory burden created by Senate Bill 85 will not work to improve either but will undoubtedly increase costs for both producers and consumers.
The environmental extremist movement has historically focused attacks on CAFOs, labeling and demonizing them as being “factory farms” and portraying all of animal agriculture as such. Another aspect of their ploy is to present their continued attacks as being focused on “big ag” and large feedlot operations that accommodate hundreds or thousands of animals.
However, the language of Senate Bill 85 can be interpreted to encompass groups of animals as small as two or three, including all types of animals—even horses. This means that riding stables and even groups of family-owned horses that are fed together in any area are included.
Leading this ill-disguised charge against animal agriculture and food security is WaterWatch Oregon, a group that has also been partially responsible for the removal of dams in the state.
TO SUBMIT COMMENTS
Email rulemaking@oda.oregon.gov with the subject line: SB 85 Rules by July 22 at 5 p.m.
Read SB 85 HERE
More about attacks on CAFOs from Protect The Harvest HERE and HERE
More on the devastating effects of dam removals from Protect The Harvest HERE and HERE
