DES MOINES, Iowa – The National Pork Producer Council (NPPC) said Friday called the Environmenal Protection Agency’s new rules for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) a “tough but fair rule.”

“The CAFO regulation issued today is a tough but fair rule and sets a standard that the U.S. pork industry has been and will continue living up to,” said NPPC Environment Committee Chairman Randy Spronk on Friday. “Pork producers are ready to comply with the new regulation.”

The regulation reportedly requires National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits only for CAFOs that discharge or propose to do so. The new rule effectively sets a “zero-discharge” standard for all livestock operations. Non-permitted operations must use sound management practices to avoid all discharges or face stiff penalties. Permit holders, likewise, must use similar practices to meet the zero-discharge standard. Violations of the new CAFO rule carry penalties of up to $32,500 a day.

“With or without a permit, swine operations that are not well managed and have discharges are facing severe penalties,” said Michael Formica, NPPC environmental policy counsel. “These rules really raise the water quality bar for us, but despite this challenge, producers are going to make this rule work.”

Source: National Pork Producer Council