SB 85 closes Confined Animal Feeding Operations

Once targeting the so-called chicken “mega farms” which fall under Oregon’s CAFO program, SB 85 went from a complete moratorium that would have devastated Oregon’s vast CAFO industry (Confined Animal Feeding Operations), to an ultimately amended down bill mainly targeting Oregon’s “stock water exemption” in drought-stricken areas of the state. Though it will create an uncertain “patchwork” across the state in citing these farm operations, making it difficult for farmers to buy property with any confidence they can pursue a CAFO operation, the main harm inflicted by SB 85 will be our ranches in eastern and southern Oregon.

This bill as amended makes certain changes concerning water quality permits for confined animal feeding operations. Authorizes State Department of Agriculture to issue nutrient application permits. Requires persons that apply for water quality permits for certain confined animal feeding operations to submit water supply plans. Makes certain changes to exemption from certain water laws for stockwatering. Sunsets changes on September 15, 2027. Requires Department of Environmental Quality to report on findings of United States Environmental Protection Agency study relating to confined animal feeding operations to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to agriculture not more than 180 days after study is finalized. Establishes certain requirements concerning land use compatibility statements related to proposed confined animal feeding operations. Authorizes governing body of city or county to require setback or buffer between proposed confined animal feeding operation and adjacent land parcels in specified circumstances.

It is written as if the study was already shown to need restrictions, so any study will be geared towards controlling CAFO, and not an objective study of what they are already doing right. Any study restricting farming practices will have a domino effect on the economy, impacting low income and homeless the hardest.

The definition of CAFO would apply to any large farming operation. The supporters of this bill do not understand farming operations or how much this would impact the food chain. Food prices are high now, this bill affects beef, pork, dairy, chickens, laying hens, turkeys, ducks, milk, cheese, eggs and all the by-products.

Comments

1. This bill is terrible. As an agricultural producer in the state of Oregon, this will be detrimental to the Ag industry. No one knows and understands the farm practices as well as the producers. The agencies proposed to conduct these studies are not qualified or well represented. The producer puts an incredible amount of time and research into the care and practices of their operation. A high quality end product is the ultimate goal. Farmers and Ranchers already face so much opposition in regards to costs, restrictions and low return payouts. The passing of this bill will lead to the end of ranching and farming in Oregon as we know it. If your goal is to continue to make the ag industry nearly impossible for producers, if your goal is to drive ag and livestock producers from the state of Oregon (as many have left already), then by all means – pass those bill.

   If you want legitimate information on these operations – go straight to the producer- cut out the unreasonable and unnecessary cost and time of studys to lead to further restrictions

   Livestock producers in Oregon are vehemently opposed to this bill and what it leads to. They’re just too busy feeding and caring for their livestock in a cold, muddy spring to be able to show up and testify to this.

2. Although I understand the concerns of some CAFO situations, as a veterinarian in Oregon, I fear this bill, should it pass, will have detrimental repercussions to many animals. This couple potential cause animals to be exposed to the elements, instead of being brought inside during storms. Calving/lambing/foaling outside vs in the safety of a barn. Furthermore, what about kids with one or two 4-H animals . They are kept in a stall and doted on for their entire lives-spoiled and loved- this bill might affect that too, which will hurt children, schools, communities and animals. Please don’t pass this bill, it will be to the detriment of many animals.

    

3. This bill will have only negative effects. Besides the Oregon farmers.

    

4. This bill is terrible. As an agricultural producer in the state of Oregon, this will be detrimental to the Ag industry. No one knows and understands the farm practices as well as the producers. The agencies proposed to conduct these studies are not qualified or well represented. The producer puts an incredible amount of time and research into the care and practices of their operation. A high quality end product is the ultimate goal. Farmers and Ranchers already face so much opposition in regards to costs, restrictions and low return payouts.We are not a communist country, yet. We are a Republic and having the right to grow, raise and hamper working Oregonians should not be infringed on by elected government bureaucrats using a thinly veiled attempt at to promote socialism and take away Citizen’s rights.

    

5. More reasons to move the border. Give rural Oregon a voice, merge into Idaho!