Citizens Sue to Reverse EPA-Factory Farm Deal

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Mon, 06 Jun 2005 13:19:51 GMT

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Citizens Sue to Reverse EPA-Factory Farm Deal

 

 

Bush Green Watch

 

June 6, 2005 | Back Issues

 

Citizens Sue to Reverse EPA-Factory Farm Deal

 

Charging that the Environmental Protection Agency made a back-room

deal to weaken controls on factory farm pollution, a coalition of

citizens' groups and environmental organizations has filed a lawsuit

against the agency. [1]

 

The plaintiffs contend that EPA made an agreement with the livestock

industry without including customary input from residents whose health

is harmed by the pollution. The agreement allows factory farms

throughout the U.S. to emit pollution in excess of federal standards

if a group of 17 " concentrated animal feeding operations " (CAFOS)

agree to conduct studies on air pollution over the next several years.

 

" Essentially the deal was agreed upon by industry and the EPA without

any public participation from the communities affected by the

pollution, " Michele Merkel, of the Environmental Integrity Project,

one of the groups involved in the lawsuit, told BushGreenwatch.

 

Critics allege that the data sample required by the deal is too small

to draw any relevant conclusions, and that the methods to be used for

analysis are too weak. [2] Even if the data sample were adequate,

Merkel, formerly with the EPA during the Clinton Administration,

points out that, " The EPA already knows that factory farm pollution is

exceeding federal regulatory standards, but this administration has

virtually imposed a moratorium on enforcement. "

 

To fill the enforcement gap created by the Bush Administration and

respond to the demands of angry citizens, individual states such as

Iowa and California have made substantial efforts to regulate CAFO air

pollution on their own.

 

But the citizens' groups assert that the new " sweetheart deal " will

drastically undermine the abilities of states and local citizens to

require industry to meet stricter emissions standards.

 

Livestock factory farms are the single largest contributor of ammonia

gas release in the U.S. They also emit hydrogen sulfide, volatile

organic compounds, and fine dust particles— all of which are linked to

respiratory illness and contribute to an alarming list of symptoms in

people who live near factory farms. [3]

 

According to the American Public Health Association and the National

Academy of Sciences, air pollution from factory farms afflicts the

health of rural communities across the nation.

 

Carissa Lenfert, rural organizer for Iowa Citizens for Community

Improvement, another group involved in the lawsuit says, " There are

over 300 gases coming from these kinds of facilities. Many of them are

toxic, and cause people to suffer from runny noses, vomiting, and

nausea. The pollution makes them extremely sick and prevents them from

being able to work outdoors on their own farms. "

 

Given the affect on their livelihood and communities, adds Lenfert,

residents are outraged at the EPA's neglect of their well-being,

" People are very upset that the EPA is working behind closed doors

with industry rather than protecting the environment. "

 

###

 

SOURCES:

[1] " Citizen, Farm Groups Challenge EPA Factory Farm " Sweetheart Deal "

Permitting Unchecked Pollution, " Environmental Integrity Project, Jun.

1, 2005.

[2] Ibid.

[3] " Comments of the Association of Irritated Residents Center on

Race, Poverty & the Environment, " Environmental Defense, Environmental

Integrity Project, and Sierra Club, Jan. 31, 2005

 

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