Note from BFIA:  We like a good porkburger as much as the next person, but that does not mean we think the Iowa Pork Producers should get to have undue influence in putting Iowans' health and water quality at risk.  Read the bad news below on this bill and then take action.

Des Moines, Iowa – The Senate Agriculture Committee caved in to the big-money interests of livestock commodity groups like the Iowa Pork Producers today when they passed a bill (SF 308) that would undercut the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) rulemaking process to restrict manure application on frozen ground.

Groups including Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Iowa Environmental Council, Des Moines Water Works, Iowa Farmer's Union, Sierra Club, and the Department of Natural Resources strongly opposed Senator Kibbie's bill and called on him to put our health and water quality above the interest of the factory farm industry by allowing the DNR to finish their rulemaking process.

On Senate File 308 and companion bill House File 574, CCI Executive Director Hugh Espey said, “These so-called attempts to regulate manure application on frozen ground are so weak and full of loopholes that they will lead to more water pollution caused by factory farms. For all intents and purposes, this bill stops DNR from taking strong action to protect our waterways.  It's an excellent example of our elected officials kow-towing to corporate interests at the expense of the common good. Today's vote by the Senate Agriculture Committee is a slap in the face to everyone fighting for clean water.”

Our legislators must consider the extreme levels of ammonia pollution in our water that we witnessed last spring as a result of this practice, the 445 polluted waterways of our state, and the health of all Iowans who drink that water and say “NO” to big-money interests.