US agency takes steps on livestock pollution
The EPA’s Office of Wastewater Management is working with the industry to create a Livestock Water Quality Blueprint 2014-2018, which will be finalised later this year.
Speaking at the Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit, part of the 2014 International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta, the EPA’s Jeff Potent highlighted some of the key initiatives contained in the blueprint. These include measures to reduce nutrient pollution through better manure management, with the emphasis on working collaboratively with the sector.
“Traditional approaches to risk reduction and pollution control can only go so far to deliver the long-term and broad environmental quality we seek,” Potent said. “Regulations have their place, but they are limited. We want to broaden the way we engage with industry.”
Potter mentioned other collaborative projects already under way, including a US Poultry & Egg Association-commissioned video on best management practices to reduce water pollution.
Future EPA plans include the creation of a record-keeping program for hog producers to help them comply with regulations, reduce costs and risks, and provide feedback to customers, Potent said.
