Executive Summary

Report

Recommendations

Feedlot Dust
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Koch
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Pilgrims Pride
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Smith Farms
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Sustainable Livestock
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Antibiotic Resistance
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Vertical Integration
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Natural Meat
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Organic Meat
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Press Release

Executive Summary

Market forces and new technologies are changing the face of livestock production in the state and throughout the country, shifting animal production from small family-owned farms to large, corporate livestock facilities. Large-scale confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) now dominate the industry, and some of the largest corporate CAFOs own and operate all aspects of production from breeding stock to feed mills to slaughterhouses and rendering plants.

Once known primarily as a beef cattle state, Texas is now also home to thriving dairy, chicken, egg, and hog production facilities, ranking among the top 10-15 states for each category of production.

But the growth and consolidation of CAFOs in Texas has not come without a cost.

• Large-scale animal production also creates large-scale animal waste-Texas is the #1 manure-producing state in the country.
  
• CAFOs in Texas must manage and dispose of an estimated 280 billion pounds of manure each year.
  
• This waste burden has impaired at least 388 miles of Texas streams and over 21,000 acres of lakes.
  
• Air testing near cattle feedlots shows sporadic, high particulate levels above state and federal standards. Air testing downwind of hog, cattle and broiler operations indicate strong, offensive odors and ammonia levels in excess of the state's "health based effects screening level" or ESL. Neighbors testify that odors and dust have led many to sell their homesteads and move away.
  
• In 1995, Texas regulators streamlined the permit process for CAFOs, limiting the ability of neighboring property owners to contest new permits or major expansions through the contested case hearing process. TNRCC does not consider the cumulative impact that a new CAFO will have when sited near many existing CAFOs, nor does it prohibit many of the practices that contribute to odor and water problems.
  
• Lax enforcement allows CAFOs to pollute, sometimes for years, before action is taken.
  
• Texas' recently amended "right to farm" law virtually eliminates neighbors' ability to bring a nuisance action against most CAFOs to protect their rights to use and enjoy their own property.
  
• Despite the enormity of Texas' animal waste disposal burden, the state's environmental regulations lag behind what other CAFO-intensive states have done to protect their resources. While several states have placed moratoria on new CAFOs, Texas continues to welcome more facilities-particularly hog producers-to the state. Other states have begun to make corporate farms jointly liable for pollution at their contract grower sites, but Texas has not done so. Some states have begun addressing air quality issues by applying stricter ambient hydrogen sulfide emissions standards to CAFOs, or defining feedlot dust as an emission for purposes of the Federal Clean Air Act, while Texas has not.
  

Recommendations

In order to protect Texas air and waterways, as well as safeguard the health and quality of life of Texas citizens, state leaders and regulators must work with livestock producers and the general public to bring more efficient and effective regulation to the industry. The state must prioritize natural resource protection, pollution prevention, and preservation of the quality of life of Texas citizens.

úStrengthen public participation in decision-making: Despite growing opposition to the growth of CAFOs in Texas communities, state regulation of CAFOs does not adequately address the environmental and health concerns of local residents. State agencies and government leaders must promote greater public participation in decision-making by providing ample opportunity for public comment and contested case hearings on CAFO permitting decisions.

• Address water quality concerns: TNRCC must actively work to protect the state's water resources by strictly regulating waste management and discharges by CAFOs, addressing the cumulative impacts of multiple CAFOs in a single watershed, and prohibiting new CAFO activity near environmentally sensitive or impaired waterways of the state.
  
• Address air quality concerns and odor problems: TNRCC must recognize and address the air quality impact of CAFOs on the health and quality of life of Texas citizens. The agency should establish stricter guidelines for particulates, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia emissions at CAFOs and conduct regular monitoring to ensure compliance. The agency should also revise its nuisance odor investigation protocol to allow quick and effective response to odor complaints from neighbors.
  
• Promote research and implementation of innovative and sustainable alternatives to current intensive livestock production methods: With its ever-growing animal waste burden, Texas should follow the lead of other states in encouraging the use of alternative production practices at CAFOs. For example, the state should phase out the use of open lagoons and the spray-field application of animal waste and fund research on technologies to replace them. Animal producers should also be encouraged to eliminate the use of sub-therapeutic antibiotics, hormones, and other feed additives which may have environmental or health impacts. Texas lawmakers and regulators should develop a long-term plan to encourage the development of organic meat production and support all sustainable methods of livestock production that protect the state's natural resources and the well-being of Texas citizens.