On Tuesday, August 4, 2009, voters in Scotland County, Missouri voted in favor of a new county ordinance regarding the distance between confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and private residences.As Julie Harker reports for Brownfield’s Ag News, the county commission wasted no time following Tuesday’s vote and began developing what, exactly, the ordinance will look like on Wednesday. Harker writes that Associate Commissioner Paul Campbell believes the ordinance will focus primarily on “setback,” or the distance there must be between a CAFO and a residence.
Campbell was also quoted as stating, “Increasing the distance from a residence as to how close they can get when they’re applying the effluent. Also, DNR allows them to either knife or blow it in on top. We’re gonna have ‘em knife it in.” Tuesday’s vote saw a 40% voter turnout. In the end the CAFO ordinance passed 705 for to 504 against.
Once the ordinance is fully developed the commission does not plan to hold a special public gathering to announce the new rules and regulations. Apparently, such public gatherings have gotten a little hectic in the past. According to Presiding Commissioner Mike Stephenson, “Frankly, for my part, I’m not sure how beneficial it would be. Having two people get in a fight in the street doesn’t really do anybody any good and I think it’s that volatile.”
To read Harker’s article click here. To see previous Ag and Food Law and Policy blog posts on animal feeding operations click here.
Posted: 08/07/09
