E-M:/ Animal Factory Moratorium Bills Introduced by Meadows and Basham

["Anne Woiwode" <Anne.Woiwode@sierraclub.org>]

Title: For Release: April 25, 2007

For Release: April 25, 2007

Contact: Anne Woiwode 517-974-2112

            Gayle Miller 517- 420-7198

 

 

Sierra Club Applauds Animal Factory Moratorium Bills Introduction by Basham and Meadows

150+ Supporters Travel to Lansing Demanding Legislators take Action

Bills Would Call “Time Out” While State Grapples with Overwhelming Pollution and Public Health Risk from Massive Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

 

Lansing, MI – Public health, clean drinking water, and reduction of air pollution are at the center of two bills aimed at a five-year moratorium on new or expanding concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), introduced today by Senator Ray Basham and Representative Mark Meadows. The Sierra Club applauded the introduction of the bills, and joined more than 150 volunteers from faith based, family farming and environmental organizations at the Capitol to demand legislative action on pollution caused by livestock wastes.

 

“For more than a decade Michigan residents lived with the virtually uncontrolled growth of massive, polluting concentrated livestock operations in Michigan,” said Anne Woiwode, Sierra Club State Director. “Today, Senator Basham and Representative Meadows give hope to family farmers, downstream communities, and every Michigander who enjoys Michigan’s lakes and streams that healthy, sustainable agriculture and clean air, clean water and your family’s health go hand in hand.”

 

            “The Sierra Club enthusiastically joins with the dozens of Michigan and national organizations calling for a moratorium on new or expanding animal factories in Michigan until and unless they are required to protect public health and keep our air and water clean.  During the moratorium, the Michigan Legislature must take aggressive action to strengthen CAFO operating standards, and establish a regulatory framework and the resources necessary to ensure adequate protection of public health and the environment,” according to Woiwode.

 

            “It is time this out-of-control industry is required to meet the same standards other industries meet, and time to ensure that the state is ready to enforce those laws.  In the meantime, Michigan needs to instead be investing more in small to mid-sized farms and encourage the growth of sustainable animal agriculture.”

 

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