Twenty-five groups have filed a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency asking the agency to regulate pig and dairy operations under the Clean Air Act. The petition also requests the agency make an official finding that methane emissions from animal agriculture “contribute significantly to” air pollution.
Groups Petition EPA to Regulate Methane Emissions from Pig and Dairy Operations Under Clean Air Act
Meat and Dairy Companies’ Climate Responsibilities
A new study by Oliver Lazarus, Sonali McDermid, and Jennifer Jacquet published in Climatic Change, “The Climate Responsibilities of Industrial Meat and Dairy Producers,” evaluates the largest meat and dairy companies’ commitments to positive change and transparency regarding climate.
South Dakota to Construct University Dairy Research and Extension Farm
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has signed into law House Bill 1153 which will declare an emergency and authorize the Board of Regents to contract for the design and construction of a new dairy research and extension farm on the campus of South Dakota State University.
Virginia Passes Dairy Margin Assistance Program
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has signed into law House Bill 1750, creating the Dairy Producer Margin Coverage Premium Assistance Program in order to assist dairy producers in the state by reimbursing annual premiums paid under the federal Farm Act’s margin coverage program.
Texas Bill Would Authorize Land and Lagoon Disposal of Milk Unfit for Human Consumption
Texas House Bill 3387 would authorize the permitting for land application of dairy waste, require promulgation of rules governing such land application, and require promulgation of rules regulating the disposal of dairy waste into a “control or retention facility, including a lagoon or playa.” “Dairy waste” is defined as “milk that is spilled, spoiled, or otherwise unfit for human consumption produced by a dairy operation” or “at a concentrated animal feeding operation.”
Rhode Island Considers Tax Exemption for Dairies
Rhode Island Senate Bill 364 would require cities and towns in the state to exempt from taxation “any real property situated in the city or town classified and utilized as dairy farmland.”
New York Bill Would Establish Dairy Farmers’ Bill of Rights
New York Assembly Bill 5533 would specify prohibited trade practices in the dairy industry that impair a dairy producer’s ability to engage in collective bargaining and increase the limit on damages for encouraging or permitting delivery of products in violation of marketing agreements.
Wisconsin Considers Limitation on Use of Term “Milk”
Wisconsin Senate Bill 83 would prohibit the labeling of any product “any type of milk” unless it is milk from a cow or “hooved or camelid mammal” or a product defined as milk under federal law.
South Dakota Considers $18 Million in Emergency Funding for New Dairy Research and Extension Farm
South Dakota House Bill 1153 would declare an emergency and authorize the Board of Regents to contract for the design and construction of a new dairy research and extension farm on the campus of South Dakota State University.
Oregon Considers Moratorium on Industrial Dairies
Oregon House Bill 2924 would prohibit the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Department of Agriculture from issuing or renewing a license or permit to allow the construction or operation of a new industrial dairy, an addition to an existing industrial dairy, or an addition to an existing dairy if the addition would cause the dairy to become an industrial dairy.