HOG CONFINEMENT PUBLIC DISCUSSION IN REYNOLDS, ILLINOIS
Monday, September 26th, 2005 saw more than 150 people gather at 6:30pm
in the Reynolds, IL American Legion hall to gather information about
HOG CONFINEMENTS.
For those unfamiliar, a CONENTRATED ANIMAL CONFINEMENT OPERATION
(CAFO) is a building or location which houses hogs, chickens, turkeys,
cattle or other animals in close quarters for possible high money
return for the farmer and the corporation with which they may have a
contract. See www.farmweb.org
In Reynolds, IL, the public meeting is one of similar gatherings going
on all across the country in states whose citizens come to obtain
information on this complex issue.
Jim O'Leary is constructing a hog confinement building or buildings
approximately 1¼ miles east of this town of about 750
residents. The meeting was hosted by
ConfinementFamilies Against Animal Threats (FAACT). One of the two guest speakers was
KAREN HUDSON, a farmer from Peoria County, IL. Her family farm is
close to a SMITHFIELD hog factory in Knox County. Smithfield is a
Virginia-based company.
Karen was appointed to the IL House/Senate Joint Livestock Committee in
1997. She is president of F AMILIES AGAINST RURAL MESSES (FARM)
which organized in the fall of 1996. She is also a board member
of the IL Stewardship Alliance and a consultant for the GRACE Factory
Farm Project. Karen stressed she eats meat and has a freezer full
of beef and chicken and knows the families that raise these animals
SUSTAINABLY.
Ms. Hudson described that she became active in educating others when a
huge hog confinement came to her county. THE LAGOON WHICH COVERED MORE
THAN 8 ACRES AND HELD THE HOGS' WASTE WAS BEING PUMPED INTO DRY AREAS
OF LAND. WASTE WAS FLOWING INTO A LAKE. THE LAGOON WAS
SANDBAGGED BECAUSE IT HAD GOTTEN SO FULL.
THE MANAGER OF THIS FACILITY ENDED UP PUMPING BETWEEN 2,000,000 AND 10,000,000 GALLONS OF THIS SEWAGE ON TO THE LAND.
Neighbors complained of awful smells (HYDROGEN SULFIDE AND AMMONIA
mostly) and increased illnesses. The IL Attorney General had to
step in. The manager was cited by the state and faces nearly
$50,000 a day fines and possible jail time.
THE HEALTH RISKS are the main concern of many people who do not wish to
see this facility completed. NOISE is also a concern of
others. Neighbors of another facility also owned by Mr. O'Leary
have complained of the awful NOISE coming from the squealing, screaming
hogs.
According to information in “Facing The Facts, Reasons For Concerns”
compiled by FAACT, “We have heard that the water table in our area has
already been dropping one foot per year. We have also been
told that this (proposed) confinement will use approximately 5000
gallons of water per day. Keep in mind that the extra use will
affect not only those living next to this facility, but the entire town
of Reynolds as well….”
“An IOWA study evaluated the health of 18 neighbors living within a two
mile radius of a hog confinement. The neighbors reported health
problems similar to those of confinement workers. Symptoms
reported were bronchitis, coughing, chest tightness, shortness of
breath, wheezing, nausea, weakness, dizziness, and fainting. Many
confinement workers have died after being overcome by hydrogen sulfide
fumes while working in or around manure holding tanks.”
Large ventilation fans pump the hydrogen sulfide and ammonia and other
gases out the buildings ending up in the atmosphere outside.
Brain damage and central nervous system damage can result. THE
MOST SUSCEPTIBLE ARE THE CHILDREN.
The FAACT brochure also states, ” In 1995, Julie Jansen, who operated a
day care center in Minnesota, was advised to take the children away
from the home after they were suffering from nausea, diarrhea,
headaches and other symptoms of hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Hog
factories, more than a mile from her home, were contaminating the air.”
“Confinements of this size are truly INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS PRODUCING AS
MUCH OR MORE WASTE THAN ENTIRE TOWNS. HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT
SUBJECT TO INDUSTRIAL LAWS OR REGULATIONS. They only have to
follow the agriculture laws that were originally put in to place to
govern the smaller family farms. Ironically, these large-scale
facilities have made it virtually impossible for the smaller farmers to
compete and HAVE HELPED END THE FARMING CAREERS OF MOST OF THEM.”
More on this on-going issue later.
PLEASE, don't forget to CPR: CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE…especially PARTICIPATE
Blog For Iowa 