Fact Pack

Insufficient Federal Rules

• The new federal rules regarding Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) only cover agricultural operations according to size, and whether or not pollution discharges have occurred before. This allows some farms to “slip under the radar” and avoid the requirement of a Nutrient Management Plan that accompanies a NPDES permit. A summary of farms covered by the new rules, Regulatory Definitions of Large CAFOs, Medium CAFO, and Small CAFOs, can be found on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System web site.
• A January 2003 report from the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO), Increased EPA Oversight Will Improve Environmental Program for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (GAO-03-285), notes weaknesses in the new federal rules, saying the agency will need to increase its oversight and funding.

Constantly Changing Industry

The agriculture industry is constantly changing, making it more difficult to protect the environment from agricultural pollution.

• Farms have become increasingly larger and more likely to be owned by corporations.
• Independence is not always the most feasible option as farmers feel a push to stay competitive in the industry. Read a story of how one farmer was forced to change.
• Corporations, under the current rules, can often evade their environmental responsibility. Sometimes corporations would even prefer to pay the fines associated with their carelessness. Read a story about one corporation’s tactics of evasion.
• The face of agriculture is changing as companies attract foreign farmers to the United States because of fewer restrictions controlling the agriculture industry. Read a story on how one company attracts individuals to the U.S.

Successful Nutrient Management Programs

• Delaware reports a number of successes - including improved water quality - in its 2001 Nutrient Management Annual Report.
• Maryland also reports many successes with its Nutrient Management Program in its annual report for 2001.
• Maine also has a Nutrient Management Program and reports that it was really the farmers who were the driving force in its creation.