Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s longtime priority of clarifying the definition of animal waste as a non-hazardous substance is one step closer to fruition after the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s markup of the 2007 Farm Bill.
During the committee meeting, Congressman Steve King of Iowa introduced a Sense of Committee Resolution that stated animal manure should not be considered a hazardous substance under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), otherwise known as the Superfund law, and Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA) laws.
Several committee members spoke in favor of the resolution, which passed unanimously.
“OFB has worked tirelessly with American Farm Bureau and the Farmers for Clean Air and Water Coalition to address the issue in Congress,” said Ericka McPherson, OFB director of national affairs. “This is an important step to the protection of production agriculture throughout the nation.”
The Farm Bill is expected to be heard on the House floor before the August recess.
