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Executive Summary The Animal Waste Problem Nationwide, 130 times more animal manure is produced than
human waste -- 5 tons for every person in the United States. The Department of Agriculture reported recently that "The
continued intensification of animal production systems without regard
to the adequacy of the available land base for manure recycling
presents a serious policy problem." Inadequate animal waste management practices often lead to water
pollution, yet there are no Federal regulations for waste handling,
storage, use or disposal. Waste spills occur when earthen manure storage lagoons collapse,
equipment breaks, or people make mistakes -- and leaking lagoons
and runoff from fields can cause chronic animal waste pollution
of both surface and ground water. The Animal Agriculture Reform Act addresses animal waste pollution
problems by requiring large animal feeding operations to develop
animal waste management plans that would follow new environmental
standards. Any national approach to the animal waste problem should include
the following policies, found in the Animal Agriculture Reform Act: Environmentally sound standards should be set for the handling,
storage, and use or disposal of animal waste. Specific standards similar to those for human waste should require
treatment of excess manure that cannot be used for a beneficial
purpose. Animal waste management practices must limit the application of
both phosphorous and nitrogen in animal manure to amounts needed
by crops. The Environmental Protection Agency should maintain its regulatory
role, but the Department of Agriculture should be actively engaged
in setting new animal waste management standards and helping farmers
implement sound environmental practices for livestock and poultry
production. Animal Waste Pollution In 60 percent of rivers and streams that EPA has identified as
"impaired," agricultural runoff, including nutrients from
animal waste, is the largest contributor to pollution. 35 million gallons of spilled animal waste killed 10 million fish
in North Carolina in 1995. Last year more than 40 animal waste
spills killed 670,000 fish in Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri, up from
20 spills in 1992. Animal wastes carry parasites, bacteria and viruses -- and can
pollute drinking water with high levels of nitrates, potentially
fatal to infants. Nutrient pollution can come from a number of sources, but in areas
of intensive livestock production, animal waste is a leading suspect
in blooms of toxic microbes linked to excessive nutrients: In 1997, outbreaks of the toxic microbe Pfiesteria piscicida killed
approximately 450,000 fish in North Carolina and approximately 30,000
fish in the Chesapeake Bay (Delaware, Maryland and Virginia). Between 1972 and 1995, the number of coastal and estuarine waters
that host major, recurring attacks by harmful microbes has doubled. 22 species of harmful dinoflagellates were known in 1982; now there
are over 60. Excessive growth and decay of algae in nutrient enriched waters
depletes available oxygen. In the Gulf of Mexico, nutrients
from farm runoff including animal waste is linked to the formation
of a "dead zone" of hypoxia (low oxygen) -- up to 7,000
square miles of water that cannot support most aquatic life. Animal Waste Production Estimated Annual U.S. Manure Production (1997) 1.37 Billion Tons The manure from a 200-head dairy operation produces as much nitrogen
as is in the sewage from a community of 5,000-10,000 people. The annual litter from a typical broiler house of 22,000 birds
contains as much phosphorous as is in the sewage from a community
of 6,000 people. The 1,600 dairies in the Central Valley of California produce more
waste than a city of 21 million people. On the Delmarva Peninsula outside of Washington, D.C., 600 million
chickens a year produce over 3.2 billion pounds of raw waste each
year -- as much nitrogen as from a city of almost 500,000. Livestock Production & Concentration Increasing concerns about the environmental consequences
of livestock and poultry production are related to the increasing
concentration of animals in certain areas of the country and on
larger farms. Livestock Production in the United States Over the past 15 years the number of hog farms has dropped from
600,000 to 157,000, yet these farms still produce about the same
number of hogs. In the cattle industry, 2 percent of feed operations account for
over 40 percent of all cattle sold. Between 1969 and 1992, the number of farms with broiler houses
fell by 35 percent, but during the same time production nearly tripled. Animal Waste & The Environment Animal waste from intensive livestock and poultry production presents
serious risks of environmental pollution. In 60 percent of
rivers and streams that EPA has identified as "impaired,"
agricultural runoff, including nutrients from animal waste, is the
largest contributor to pollution. Nationwide, 130 times more animal waste is produced than human
waste -- 5 tons per person -- making some large livestock operations
the waste equivalent of a town or even a large city. One dramatic
example is a 50,000 acre swine operation in southwest Utah designed
to produce 2.5 million hogs annually, with a potential waste output
greater than entire city of Los Angeles, California. The lack of sufficient land on which to safely apply the manure
from ever larger livestock operations has created what the Department
of Agriculture calls "a serious policy problem." Improper Handling of Animal Waste Leads to Water Pollution Both liquid and dry animal manure can be a valuable source of crop
nutrients. But when manure is applied to land in amounts greater
than can be used by crops and retained by the soil, nitrogen, phosphorous
and other nutrients leach and run off into surface and groundwater. Leaching from earthen waste storage lagoons also may pollute ground
water. Following a disastrous series of spills in 1995 in
North Carolina, researchers examined manure lagoons across the state
and found that half of the lagoons constructed prior to 1993 were
leaking liquid manure into the soil and groundwater. The risk of water pollution from dry poultry litter is greatest
after it is spread on crop land, while the risk of waste spills
and chronic pollution is always present in liquid waste storage
and application systems (hogs and cattle). Equipment or structural
failures or human error can lead to waste spills while liquid waste
is being transported, stored or applied to land. Earthen lagoons,
for example, may be vulnerable to outright collapse if overloaded
or poorly maintained. Spills of liquid animal waste directly into water have an
immediate environmental impact, choking out fish and other aquatic
life. In addition, the excessive growth and decay of algae
and other aquatic organisms that feed on excessive nutrients in
water deplete dissolved oxygen. The resulting hypoxia (low
oxygen) from chronic nutrient enrichment can result in fish kills,
odor and overall degradation of water quality. Serious spills of animal waste into waterways have occurred
frequently in recent years. An informal survey of leading
livestock-producing states indicates that state enforcement actions
taken in response to spills or discharges nearly doubled between
1992 and 1995. In Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri (accounting
for 36 percent of hog production), recorded animal waste spills
rose from 20 in 1992 (killing at least 55,000 fish) to more than
40 in 1996 (killing at least 670,000 fish). It has long been known that nitrogen is highly soluble and susceptible
to leaching and run off. Only recently has it been fully understood
that when soils are saturated with phosphorous, excess phosphorous
also will run off. Traditionally, application rates of manure
have been set by the amount of nitrogen going onto the land.
But because the phosphorus content of manure is proportionally much
higher than nitrogen (in relation to crop nutrient needs), this
practice can lead to the application of excess phosphorous. Typical Animal Waste Management Practices Animal waste consists of not only manure and urine, but also of
dead animals, used bedding, waste feed, and other residual organic
matter. All of these materials are potential sources of crop
nutrients, but also can pose environmental threats. Hogs and cattle generate a manure that is more liquid, and typically
water is used to flush the manure out of the barns and into storage
facilities. The resulting "slurry" is up to 97 percent
liquid, and most commonly stored in earthen lagoons. An alternative
storage method now being adopted more widely is the "slurry
tank," which offers a greater level of structural stability
and environmental protection. In the lagoons or tanks, many of the solids (including much of
the phosphorous) settle into a sludge at the bottom. Most
nitrogen remains dissolved in the water or volatilizes into the
atmosphere. A farmer who utilizes the animal waste for nutrients
pumps the liquid out for nutrients or irrigation, and may agitate
the sludge at pumping time to capture the nutrients that otherwise
would remain behind. Where National Standards Are Needed Figure 1 below illustrates several poultry waste handling methods;
Figure 2 illustrates several methods for handling hog waste.
The waste management practices pictured here, however, are not adequate
for environmental protection unless the farmer also follows proper
standards for building and maintaining the storage facilities, handling
manure properly, and spreading manure in limited quantities on the
fields. There are no Federal regulations setting these standards. Waste storage lagoons that may be called "waste treatment
lagoons" are typically for waste storage only. Because
many of the solids settle into a sludge at the bottom of a waste
lagoon, some operations use multiple lagoons for repeated settling
and can recapture water that is clean enough to recycle for flushing
the barns. Human Health Concerns Much current attention is focused on the direct impacts of animal
waste on aquatic ecosystems, but there are also human health concerns
associated with animal waste pollution that should be studied further.
Manure contains pathogens to which humans are vulnerable, including
Salmonella and Cryptosporidium, and can pollute drinking water with
nitrates, potentially fatal to infants. More indirectly, microbes
that are toxic to animals and people are thought to thrive in waters
that have excessively high levels of nutrients from sources including
animal waste pollution.
Treatment requirements similar to those that apply to human waste
should be considered as part of any comprehensive approach to managing
the 1.3 billion tons of animal manure produced annually. Municipal Wastewater Treatment Primary treatment -- Larger solids are removed from the water by
screening, grinding and settling. Settled solids are removed
for decomposition, and eventually may need further treatment before
disposal. Secondary treatment -- Dissolved organic materials are reduced
by biological decomposition. Tertiary treatment -- Additional filtration, if necessary, increases
the quality of the water and reduces the need for disinfection. Disinfection stage -- Most of the remaining viruses and bacteria
are killed (usually with chlorine). Some waste storage and application systems on livestock farms are
rudimentary waste treatment systems. High volumes of water
are used to flush out the manure into below-building pits, and then
into waste lagoons. In a lagoon or tank, many of the solids
settle into a sludge at the bottom. By using multiple lagoons
for repeated settling, a livestock operation can recapture water
from the waste stream that is clean enough to recycle for flushing
the barns. Typically such "treatment," however,
is designed only to recycle water, not to provide environmental
safeguards. Composting animal waste prior to land application offers significant
benefits, although currently it is practical only for dry waste
(poultry) operations. The composting of manure, dead animals
and other organic materials breaks down organic compounds so they
may be more readily used by crops, and the high heat naturally generated
by composting kills pathogens. For these reasons, composting
may be an adequate treatment for dry waste. Composted dry
waste also may be sold commercially for fertilizer. Animal Waste Pollution -- Examples In 60 percent of rivers and streams identified by EPA as "impaired,"
agricultural runoff, including animal waste, is the largest contributor
to pollution. In 1995 in North Carolina: 35 million gallons of animal waste spilled into the state's waterways. Kills of 10 million fish were attributed largely to animal waste
pollution. Animal waste pollution closed over 360,000 acres of coastal wetlands
to shellfish harvesting. In Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri -- accounting for 36 percent of
1996 U.S. swine production -- recorded animal waste spills rose
from 20 in 1992 (killing at least 55,000 fish) to more than 40 in
1996 (killing at least 670,000 fish). Between 1972 and 1995, the number of coastal and estuarine waters
that host major, recurring attacks by harmful microbes has doubled
-- and nutrient enrichment from sources including animal waste is
the leading suspect. In 1997, approximately 450,000 fish were killed in North Carolina
by the toxic microbe Pfiesteria piscicida, whose increased presence
in estuarine waters is linked to excess nutrients from animal waste
and farm runoff. In 1997, an estimated 30,000 fish were killed in the Chesapeake
Bay by Pfiesteria, implicating nutrient runoff from the poultry
farms on the Delmarva Peninsula that produce over 600 million birds
per year. Symptoms reported among people with close exposure to Pfiesteria
in its toxic form include memory loss, respiratory problems and
skin rashes. 22 species of harmful dinoflagellates were known in 1982; now there
are over 60. Public concerns about nutrient enrichment of waterways also have
been heightened by other attacks by toxic algae and microbes in
recent years: 3 people dead and 100 sick in Canada 162 dolphins, a sea lion and at least 4 whales dead in Mexico Thousands of tropical fish dead off Florida 304 dead manatees in Florida Hundreds of brown pelicans dead in California Gulf of Mexico: Nutrients from farm runoff, including animal
waste, are linked to the formation of a so-called "dead zone"
of hypoxia (low oxygen) in the Gulf as large as 7,000 square miles. Animal Waste Production -- Fact Sheet & Maps The following maps detail concentrations of manure across the
country, measured by both nitrogen and phosphorous from manure.
This concentration makes it significantly more difficult to effectively
manage animal waste and utilize manure for such beneficial uses
as fertilizer. Maps soon to be released by USDA indicate that in a number of these
areas of high concentration there is simply not enough crop land
to utilize the manure. Estimated Annual U.S. Manure Production (1997) 1.37 Billion Tons More than five tons of animal manure are produced each year for
every person in the United States, compared to about 80 pounds of
solid human waste. The annual production of over 600 million chickens on the Delmarva
Peninsula (the Chesapeake Bay tri-state area) yields: Over 3.2 billion pounds of raw waste each year. 13.8 million pounds of phosphorous. 48.2 million pounds of nitrogen -- as much nitrogen as in the
waste from a city of 490,000. The 1,600 dairies in the Central Valley of California produce more
waste than a city of 21 million people. A 50,000 acre swine operation under construction in Utah is designed
to produce up to 2.5 million hogs per year -- with a potential
waste output greater than that of the city of Los Angeles. The manure from a 200-head dairy operation produces as much nitrogen
as is in the sewage from a community of 5,000-10,000 people. The annual litter from a typical broiler house of 22,000 birds
contains as much phosphorous as is in the sewage from a community
of 6,000 people. Livestock Manure and Nutrient Production Increasing concerns about the environmental consequences
of livestock and poultry production are related to the increasing
concentration of animals in certain areas of the country and on
larger farms. The resulting concentrations of manure make
it much more difficult to manage waste responsibly and utilize all
the manure for fertilizer. This concentration of animals without sufficient crop land in those
areas for manure application is an increasing problem. In
1992, for example, the largest hog operations (more than 2,500 hogs
per farm) held more than 27 percent of the nation's hogs but owned
only 3 percent of crop land associated with animal operations. The following charts show that while the number of farms raising
various types of livestock and poultry have declined, the number
of animals produced has risen at the same time. The map following
the charts shows the regions where these animals are now concentrated. Thirty years ago there were more than a million hog farms across
the country. Over the past 15 the number of hog farms has
dropped from 600,000 to 157,000, yet the country's hog invyears
entory has remained almost the same. As a result of increased concentration, just 3 percent of the nation's
hog farms produce more than 50 percent of the nation's hogs. 2 percent of cattle feed operations account for over 40 percent
of all cattle sold. Between 1969 and 1992, the number of farms with broiler houses
fell by 35 percent, but during the same time production nearly tripled. In 1996, 55 percent of hog production took place in four states.
In the same year, the four-state concentration for poultry production
was 53 percent. Out of 640,000 U.S. livestock farms, 450,000 are confined feedlot
operations. About 6,600 of those animal feeding operations account for about
35% of total US livestock production. Clinton Administration Clean Water Action Plan In October, Vice President Gore directed the Environmental Protection
Agency and the Department of Agriculture to work with other Federal
agencies to develop a Clean Water Action Plan by February 14, 1998.
The Plan will describe specific actions that Federal agencies will
take to: 1) protect public health; 2) prevent polluted runoff;
and 3) promote community-based watershed management. The Vice President listed animal feeding operations as a key source
of water pollution to be addressed by the Action Plan. Environmental Protection Agency EPA is considering actions to address animal waste pollution,
including: New Clean Water Act regulations; Increased inspections of operations; and Stepped up enforcement against polluting operations. Department of Agriculture USDA is working with EPA on the Administration's Clean Water Action
Plan. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is reviewing
and revising guidelines on animal waste management. National Environmental Dialogue on Pork Production The National Environmental Dialogue on Pork Production (NEDPP)
is a working group composed of the Department of Agriculture, the
Environmental Protection Agency, several state environmental and
agriculture departments, and individual pork producers affiliated
with the National Pork Producers Council. This month, the NEDPP recommended that environmental regulations
for swine operations: Apply to all sizes of commercial operations. Require new operations to comply with recognized engineering standards. Limit manure application by crop nutrient needs and soil nutrient
levels. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced the Animal Agriculture Reform
Act in the United States Senate on October 28, 1997. The bill
calls for national environmental standards for the handling of animal
waste by large animal feeding operations. These standards
would be implemented through mandatory animal waste management plans
approved by the Department of Agriculture. The bill does not interfere with the regulatory role of the Environmental
Protection Agency or state governments. Instead, it provides
a directive for USDA to implement waste management standards on
individual farms. USDA is not required to monitor for pollution. Under the Animal Agriculture Reform Act: Because of the national importance of this issue, we should move
quickly to establish common sense safeguards that will both protect
our environment and ensure a sustainable livestock industry.
My bill seeks to resolve these problems in ways that are both environmentally
responsible and economically feasible for livestock and poultry
producers. I look forward to Congressional review of my bill
and other proposals early in the upcoming session. Executive Summary The Animal Waste Problem Nationwide, 130 times more animal manure is produced than
human waste -- 5 tons for every person in the United States. The Department of Agriculture reported recently that "The
continued intensification of animal production systems without regard
to the adequacy of the available land base for manure recycling
presents a serious policy problem." Inadequate animal waste management practices often lead to water
pollution, yet there are no Federal regulations for waste handling,
storage, use or disposal. Waste spills occur when earthen manure storage lagoons collapse,
equipment breaks, or people make mistakes -- and leaking lagoons
and runoff from fields can cause chronic animal waste pollution
of both surface and ground water. The Animal Agriculture Reform Act addresses animal waste pollution
problems by requiring large animal feeding operations to develop
animal waste management plans that would follow new environmental
standards. Any national approach to the animal waste problem should include
the following policies, found in the Animal Agriculture Reform Act: Environmentally sound standards should be set for the handling,
storage, and use or disposal of animal waste. Specific standards similar to those for human waste should require
treatment of excess manure that cannot be used for a beneficial
purpose. Animal waste management practices must limit the application of
both phosphorous and nitrogen in animal manure to amounts needed
by crops. The Environmental Protection Agency should maintain its regulatory
role, but the Department of Agriculture should be actively engaged
in setting new animal waste management standards and helping farmers
implement sound environmental practices for livestock and poultry
production. Animal Waste Pollution In 60 percent of rivers and streams that EPA has identified as
"impaired," agricultural runoff, including nutrients from
animal waste, is the largest contributor to pollution. 35 million gallons of spilled animal waste killed 10 million fish
in North Carolina in 1995. Last year more than 40 animal waste
spills killed 670,000 fish in Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri, up from
20 spills in 1992. Animal wastes carry parasites, bacteria and viruses -- and can
pollute drinking water with high levels of nitrates, potentially
fatal to infants. Nutrient pollution can come from a number of sources, but in areas
of intensive livestock production, animal waste is a leading suspect
in blooms of toxic microbes linked to excessive nutrients: In 1997, outbreaks of the toxic microbe Pfiesteria piscicida killed
approximately 450,000 fish in North Carolina and approximately 30,000
fish in the Chesapeake Bay (Delaware, Maryland and Virginia). Between 1972 and 1995, the number of coastal and estuarine waters
that host major, recurring attacks by harmful microbes has doubled. 22 species of harmful dinoflagellates were known in 1982; now there
are over 60. Excessive growth and decay of algae in nutrient enriched waters
depletes available oxygen. In the Gulf of Mexico, nutrients
from farm runoff including animal waste is linked to the formation
of a "dead zone" of hypoxia (low oxygen) -- up to 7,000
square miles of water that cannot support most aquatic life. Animal Waste Production Estimated Annual U.S. Manure Production (1997) 1.37 Billion Tons The manure from a 200-head dairy operation produces as much nitrogen
as is in the sewage from a community of 5,000-10,000 people. The annual litter from a typical broiler house of 22,000 birds
contains as much phosphorous as is in the sewage from a community
of 6,000 people. The 1,600 dairies in the Central Valley of California produce more
waste than a city of 21 million people. On the Delmarva Peninsula outside of Washington, D.C., 600 million
chickens a year produce over 3.2 billion pounds of raw waste each
year -- as much nitrogen as from a city of almost 500,000. Livestock Production & Concentration Increasing concerns about the environmental consequences
of livestock and poultry production are related to the increasing
concentration of animals in certain areas of the country and on
larger farms. Livestock Production in the United States Over the past 15 years the number of hog farms has dropped from
600,000 to 157,000, yet these farms still produce about the same
number of hogs. In the cattle industry, 2 percent of feed operations account for
over 40 percent of all cattle sold. Between 1969 and 1992, the number of farms with broiler houses
fell by 35 percent, but during the same time production nearly tripled. Animal Waste & The Environment Animal waste from intensive livestock and poultry production presents
serious risks of environmental pollution. In 60 percent of
rivers and streams that EPA has identified as "impaired,"
agricultural runoff, including nutrients from animal waste, is the
largest contributor to pollution. Nationwide, 130 times more animal waste is produced than human
waste -- 5 tons per person -- making some large livestock operations
the waste equivalent of a town or even a large city. One dramatic
example is a 50,000 acre swine operation in southwest Utah designed
to produce 2.5 million hogs annually, with a potential waste output
greater than entire city of Los Angeles, California. The lack of sufficient land on which to safely apply the manure
from ever larger livestock operations has created what the Department
of Agriculture calls "a serious policy problem." Improper Handling of Animal Waste Leads to Water Pollution Both liquid and dry animal manure can be a valuable source of crop
nutrients. But when manure is applied to land in amounts greater
than can be used by crops and retained by the soil, nitrogen, phosphorous
and other nutrients leach and run off into surface and groundwater. Leaching from earthen waste storage lagoons also may pollute ground
water. Following a disastrous series of spills in 1995 in
North Carolina, researchers examined manure lagoons across the state
and found that half of the lagoons constructed prior to 1993 were
leaking liquid manure into the soil and groundwater. The risk of water pollution from dry poultry litter is greatest
after it is spread on crop land, while the risk of waste spills
and chronic pollution is always present in liquid waste storage
and application systems (hogs and cattle). Equipment or structural
failures or human error can lead to waste spills while liquid waste
is being transported, stored or applied to land. Earthen lagoons,
for example, may be vulnerable to outright collapse if overloaded
or poorly maintained. Spills of liquid animal waste directly into water have an
immediate environmental impact, choking out fish and other aquatic
life. In addition, the excessive growth and decay of algae
and other aquatic organisms that feed on excessive nutrients in
water deplete dissolved oxygen. The resulting hypoxia (low
oxygen) from chronic nutrient enrichment can result in fish kills,
odor and overall degradation of water quality. Serious spills of animal waste into waterways have occurred
frequently in recent years. An informal survey of leading
livestock-producing states indicates that state enforcement actions
taken in response to spills or discharges nearly doubled between
1992 and 1995. In Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri (accounting
for 36 percent of hog production), recorded animal waste spills
rose from 20 in 1992 (killing at least 55,000 fish) to more than
40 in 1996 (killing at least 670,000 fish). It has long been known that nitrogen is highly soluble and susceptible
to leaching and run off. Only recently has it been fully understood
that when soils are saturated with phosphorous, excess phosphorous
also will run off. Traditionally, application rates of manure
have been set by the amount of nitrogen going onto the land.
But because the phosphorus content of manure is proportionally much
higher than nitrogen (in relation to crop nutrient needs), this
practice can lead to the application of excess phosphorous. Typical Animal Waste Management Practices Animal waste consists of not only manure and urine, but also of
dead animals, used bedding, waste feed, and other residual organic
matter. All of these materials are potential sources of crop
nutrients, but also can pose environmental threats. Hogs and cattle generate a manure that is more liquid, and typically
water is used to flush the manure out of the barns and into storage
facilities. The resulting "slurry" is up to 97 percent
liquid, and most commonly stored in earthen lagoons. An alternative
storage method now being adopted more widely is the "slurry
tank," which offers a greater level of structural stability
and environmental protection. In the lagoons or tanks, many of the solids (including much of
the phosphorous) settle into a sludge at the bottom. Most
nitrogen remains dissolved in the water or volatilizes into the
atmosphere. A farmer who utilizes the animal waste for nutrients
pumps the liquid out for nutrients or irrigation, and may agitate
the sludge at pumping time to capture the nutrients that otherwise
would remain behind. Where National Standards Are Needed Figure 1 below illustrates several poultry waste handling methods;
Figure 2 illustrates several methods for handling hog waste.
The waste management practices pictured here, however, are not adequate
for environmental protection unless the farmer also follows proper
standards for building and maintaining the storage facilities, handling
manure properly, and spreading manure in limited quantities on the
fields. There are no Federal regulations setting these standards. Waste storage lagoons that may be called "waste treatment
lagoons" are typically for waste storage only. Because
many of the solids settle into a sludge at the bottom of a waste
lagoon, some operations use multiple lagoons for repeated settling
and can recapture water that is clean enough to recycle for flushing
the barns. Human Health Concerns Much current attention is focused on the direct impacts of animal
waste on aquatic ecosystems, but there are also human health concerns
associated with animal waste pollution that should be studied further.
Manure contains pathogens to which humans are vulnerable, including
Salmonella and Cryptosporidium, and can pollute drinking water with
nitrates, potentially fatal to infants. More indirectly, microbes
that are toxic to animals and people are thought to thrive in waters
that have excessively high levels of nutrients from sources including
animal waste pollution.
Treatment requirements similar to those that apply to human waste
should be considered as part of any comprehensive approach to managing
the 1.3 billion tons of animal manure produced annually. Municipal Wastewater Treatment Primary treatment -- Larger solids are removed from the water by
screening, grinding and settling. Settled solids are removed
for decomposition, and eventually may need further treatment before
disposal. Secondary treatment -- Dissolved organic materials are reduced
by biological decomposition. Tertiary treatment -- Additional filtration, if necessary, increases
the quality of the water and reduces the need for disinfection. Disinfection stage -- Most of the remaining viruses and bacteria
are killed (usually with chlorine). Some waste storage and application systems on livestock farms are
rudimentary waste treatment systems. High volumes of water
are used to flush out the manure into below-building pits, and then
into waste lagoons. In a lagoon or tank, many of the solids
settle into a sludge at the bottom. By using multiple lagoons
for repeated settling, a livestock operation can recapture water
from the waste stream that is clean enough to recycle for flushing
the barns. Typically such "treatment," however,
is designed only to recycle water, not to provide environmental
safeguards. Composting animal waste prior to land application offers significant
benefits, although currently it is practical only for dry waste
(poultry) operations. The composting of manure, dead animals
and other organic materials breaks down organic compounds so they
may be more readily used by crops, and the high heat naturally generated
by composting kills pathogens. For these reasons, composting
may be an adequate treatment for dry waste. Composted dry
waste also may be sold commercially for fertilizer. Animal Waste Pollution -- Examples In 60 percent of rivers and streams identified by EPA as "impaired,"
agricultural runoff, including animal waste, is the largest contributor
to pollution. In 1995 in North Carolina: 35 million gallons of animal waste spilled into the state's waterways. Kills of 10 million fish were attributed largely to animal waste
pollution. Animal waste pollution closed over 360,000 acres of coastal wetlands
to shellfish harvesting. In Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri -- accounting for 36 percent of
1996 U.S. swine production -- recorded animal waste spills rose
from 20 in 1992 (killing at least 55,000 fish) to more than 40 in
1996 (killing at least 670,000 fish). Between 1972 and 1995, the number of coastal and estuarine waters
that host major, recurring attacks by harmful microbes has doubled
-- and nutrient enrichment from sources including animal waste is
the leading suspect. In 1997, approximately 450,000 fish were killed in North Carolina
by the toxic microbe Pfiesteria piscicida, whose increased presence
in estuarine waters is linked to excess nutrients from animal waste
and farm runoff. In 1997, an estimated 30,000 fish were killed in the Chesapeake
Bay by Pfiesteria, implicating nutrient runoff from the poultry
farms on the Delmarva Peninsula that produce over 600 million birds
per year. Symptoms reported among people with close exposure to Pfiesteria
in its toxic form include memory loss, respiratory problems and
skin rashes. 22 species of harmful dinoflagellates were known in 1982; now there
are over 60. Public concerns about nutrient enrichment of waterways also have
been heightened by other attacks by toxic algae and microbes in
recent years: 3 people dead and 100 sick in Canada 162 dolphins, a sea lion and at least 4 whales dead in Mexico Thousands of tropical fish dead off Florida 304 dead manatees in Florida Hundreds of brown pelicans dead in California Gulf of Mexico: Nutrients from farm runoff, including animal
waste, are linked to the formation of a so-called "dead zone"
of hypoxia (low oxygen) in the Gulf as large as 7,000 square miles. Animal Waste Production -- Fact Sheet & Maps The following maps detail concentrations of manure across the
country, measured by both nitrogen and phosphorous from manure.
This concentration makes it significantly more difficult to effectively
manage animal waste and utilize manure for such beneficial uses
as fertilizer. Maps soon to be released by USDA indicate that in a number of these
areas of high concentration there is simply not enough crop land
to utilize the manure. Estimated Annual U.S. Manure Production (1997) 1.37 Billion Tons More than five tons of animal manure are produced each year for
every person in the United States, compared to about 80 pounds of
solid human waste. The annual production of over 600 million chickens on the Delmarva
Peninsula (the Chesapeake Bay tri-state area) yields: Over 3.2 billion pounds of raw waste each year. 13.8 million pounds of phosphorous. 48.2 million pounds of nitrogen -- as much nitrogen as in the
waste from a city of 490,000. The 1,600 dairies in the Central Valley of California produce more
waste than a city of 21 million people. A 50,000 acre swine operation under construction in Utah is designed
to produce up to 2.5 million hogs per year -- with a potential
waste output greater than that of the city of Los Angeles. The manure from a 200-head dairy operation produces as much nitrogen
as is in the sewage from a community of 5,000-10,000 people. The annual litter from a typical broiler house of 22,000 birds
contains as much phosphorous as is in the sewage from a community
of 6,000 people. Livestock Manure and Nutrient Production Increasing concerns about the environmental consequences
of livestock and poultry production are related to the increasing
concentration of animals in certain areas of the country and on
larger farms. The resulting concentrations of manure make
it much more difficult to manage waste responsibly and utilize all
the manure for fertilizer. This concentration of animals without sufficient crop land in those
areas for manure application is an increasing problem. In
1992, for example, the largest hog operations (more than 2,500 hogs
per farm) held more than 27 percent of the nation's hogs but owned
only 3 percent of crop land associated with animal operations. The following charts show that while the number of farms raising
various types of livestock and poultry have declined, the number
of animals produced has risen at the same time. The map following
the charts shows the regions where these animals are now concentrated. Thirty years ago there were more than a million hog farms across
the country. Over the past 15 the number of hog farms has
dropped from 600,000 to 157,000, yet the country's hog invyears
entory has remained almost the same. As a result of increased concentration, just 3 percent of the nation's
hog farms produce more than 50 percent of the nation's hogs. 2 percent of cattle feed operations account for over 40 percent
of all cattle sold. Between 1969 and 1992, the number of farms with broiler houses
fell by 35 percent, but during the same time production nearly tripled. In 1996, 55 percent of hog production took place in four states.
In the same year, the four-state concentration for poultry production
was 53 percent. Out of 640,000 U.S. livestock farms, 450,000 are confined feedlot
operations. About 6,600 of those animal feeding operations account for about
35% of total US livestock production. Clinton Administration Clean Water Action Plan In October, Vice President Gore directed the Environmental Protection
Agency and the Department of Agriculture to work with other Federal
agencies to develop a Clean Water Action Plan by February 14, 1998.
The Plan will describe specific actions that Federal agencies will
take to: 1) protect public health; 2) prevent polluted runoff;
and 3) promote community-based watershed management. The Vice President listed animal feeding operations as a key source
of water pollution to be addressed by the Action Plan. Environmental Protection Agency EPA is considering actions to address animal waste pollution,
including: New Clean Water Act regulations; Increased inspections of operations; and Stepped up enforcement against polluting operations. Department of Agriculture USDA is working with EPA on the Administration's Clean Water Action
Plan. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is reviewing
and revising guidelines on animal waste management. National Environmental Dialogue on Pork Production The National Environmental Dialogue on Pork Production (NEDPP)
is a working group composed of the Department of Agriculture, the
Environmental Protection Agency, several state environmental and
agriculture departments, and individual pork producers affiliated
with the National Pork Producers Council. This month, the NEDPP recommended that environmental regulations
for swine operations: Apply to all sizes of commercial operations. Require new operations to comply with recognized engineering standards. Limit manure application by crop nutrient needs and soil nutrient
levels. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced the Animal Agriculture Reform
Act in the United States Senate on October 28, 1997. The bill
calls for national environmental standards for the handling of animal
waste by large animal feeding operations. These standards
would be implemented through mandatory animal waste management plans
approved by the Department of Agriculture. The bill does not interfere with the regulatory role of the Environmental
Protection Agency or state governments. Instead, it provides
a directive for USDA to implement waste management standards on
individual farms. USDA is not required to monitor for pollution. Under the Animal Agriculture Reform Act: |
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