Indiana Farm Bureau Disappointed that Livestock Bill Didn't Pass General Assembly

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Some Indiana livestock farmers are disappointed legislation that would have strengthened the state's program to inspect confined livestock feeding operations failed to come out of conference committee during this session of the Indiana General Assembly.

Senate Bill 431 died in conference committee because conferees could not agree on whether the final bill should include a statewide setback requirement for all new confined livestock feeding facilities.

"A basic foundation of home rule in Indiana is to have local control over planning and zoning," explained Don Villwock, president of Indiana Farm Bureau. "The proposed one-size-fits-all setback would have taken away the county's local control to determine the best zoning and site planning for confined livestock farms."

Senate Bill 431, authored by Sen. Beverly Gard, R-Greenfield, would have provided that livestock farmers contribute about $500,000 to the inspection program through increased application fees and new annual operating fees. Together with funds appropriated for livestock inspections in the 2007-2009 biennial budget, this would have provided nearly $1 million in additional funds each year for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's livestock facility inspection program.

"We are disappointed legislators could not come to agreement on Senate Bill 431," Villwock said. "The bill contained many components that were supported by farmers, environmental organizations and opponents to large livestock operations, and it's unfortunate our lawmakers allowed this bill to die in conference committee."

Villwock praised Gard for her commitment to finding reasonable and fair legislation to address the politically charged issue of confined livestock feeding operations. "We thank Senator Gard for taking on this issue and using sound science and common sense as her guide," added Villwock.

In addition to more on-farm inspections, the bill required IDEM to be more accountable in its management of the livestock compliance program and to submit an annual report to the General Assembly on its activities concerning confined livestock farms.

Farmers also supported the provision in the bill that called for the creation of a livestock producer certification program and training of manure nutrient applicators.

Mike Platt, Indiana Pork's executive director, said he anticipates that the state's livestock producers will proceed to work for voluntary implementation of a certified livestock producer program through the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

"We're already in conversation with ISDA on moving the certified livestock program into high gear during this coming year," explained Platt.

Platt added that the certified livestock program will help to highlight that Indiana's regulated confined livestock farms have a 99 percent compliance rate with less than 1 percent of the complaints resulting in actual compliance violations.

Ron Fuhrman, president of Indiana Professional Dairy Producers, said dairy producers also are committed to supporting the certified livestock program.

"Our producers expect the certified livestock program to build on their current production and environmental practices and to enhance trust with the public and legislators about modern livestock farms," added Furman.

A key provision in the bill would have directed the Office of the State Chemist to oversee a training and certification program for people who apply manure as a nutrient fertilizer on farmland. Julia Wickard, executive vice president of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association, said the livestock and grain industry supports the implementation of this program even though it will not be mandated by the General Assembly.

"The livestock industry will work with the State Chemist to make this program happen, even without the legislative mandate," added Wickard.

Some Indiana grain farmers also are disappointed in the demise of the bill. According to Chris Novak, executive director for the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Growers Association, livestock is the top customer for the state's corn and soybeans. "Even though this bill has died, grain farmers are committed to seeing some of these proposed programs like the certified livestock producer and State Chemist's manure fertilizer applicator programs implemented," he said.

The farm groups are committed to continue working with IDEM, the Office of the State Chemist and ISDA to ensure public confidence in Indiana's confined livestock farms.

The state's regulated agriculture community also expressed its thanks to Senator Gard for shepherding through the Senate a resolution asking that the Legislative Council, a management group comprised of the leadership of both houses, to request that IDEM submit an annual report to the governor, the General Assembly and the Environmental Quality Service Council detailing its activities with respect to the regulation of confined livestock farms.

Source: Indiana Farm Bureau Press Release