[August 08, 2014]SPRINGFIELD
- Groups representing Illinois livestock farmers said today
newly-announced rules that will affect livestock farms in the state
strike a balance between protecting the environment and allowing
farmers to operate. The rules, approved by the Illinois Pollution
Control Board (IPCB) as part of a years-long process, have been
updated to ensure consistency with federal regulations that also
govern livestock farms.
“We certainly appreciate the willingness of state regulators to
listen to the concerns we raised on these rules and how the rules
could impact livestock farms across Illinois,” said Richard Guebert
Jr., president of the Illinois Farm Bureau® (IFB). “We still have
concerns with some aspects of the rules, but also feel that our
concerns were heard. Going forward, we will work with all interested
parties and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) on
how these rules will be implemented.”
“Although our members are already strongly regulated under the
Livestock Management Facilities Act (LMFA), we believe these rules
provide for additional environmental assurance while enabling
farmers to continue to operate,” said Todd Dail, a pig farmer from
Erie, Ill. and president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association
(IPPA). “As a livestock farmer, I take great care to ensure the
safety of the environment. All farms have a responsibility to adopt
management practices that protect our natural resources and limit
any environmental impacts. I believe that sound environmental
protection can be achieved regardless of the size of our farm or the
number of animals we raise.”
The rules outline – among other requirements – protocols for
applying manure as fertilizer on farmland, manure management plans
and recordkeeping for livestock farms. Not included in the rules is
a requirement that livestock farmers register with the state,
providing specific details about their farms. IFB and IPPA, with the
Illinois Milk Producers Association and the Illinois Beef
Association, successfully argued that IPCB does not have the
authority to require registration; that registration is not required
in federal rules that govern livestock farms; and that IEPA has
indicated it does not want, nor does it need, a reporting rule. IEPA
has its own system in place to handle identification and inspection
of livestock farms.
“Today’s farms employ modern technology and innovations that
allow farmers to better capture, and recycle the valuable
nutrients in manure than we did just a generation ago. From
adopting best practices and new technologies to implementing
nutrient management plans and adhering to a stringent set of
state and federal regulations, Illinois livestock farmers are
committed to doing what’s right to protect our natural
resources,” said Dail.
The Illinois Farm Bureau is a member of the American Farm Bureau
Federation, a national organization of farmers and ranchers.
Founded in 1916, IFB is a non-profit, membership organization
directed by farmers who join through their county Farm Bureau.
IFB has a total membership of more than 400,000 and a voting
membership of more than 82,000. IFB represents three out of four
Illinois farmers.
The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) represents more
than 2,000 pork producers throughout Illinois and the Illinois
pork industry, which contributes more than $1.8 billion and more
than 10,500 jobs to the state’s economy. IPPA is comprised of
county pork producer groups in approximately 20 counties
throughout Illinois. IPPA is an affiliate of the National Pork
Producers Council and the National Pork Board.
