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Animal Feeding Operations

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Animal Feeding Operations Highlights

Information about environmental requirements specifically relating to the production of livestock in animal feeding operations (AFOs) and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Success Stories
EPA Celebrates California County's First Methane Digester
EPA Presents Water Stewardship Award to Ohio Swine Operation



Proposed Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule

About Animal Feeding Operations

Animal feeding operations (AFOs) are agricultural enterprises where animals are kept and raised in confined situations. AFOs congregate animals, feed, manure and urine, dead animals, and production operations on a small land area. Feed is brought to the animals rather than the animals grazing or otherwise seeking feed in pastures, fields, or on rangeland. There are approximately 450,000 AFOs in the United States.

Related publications from the Ag Center
Animal Feeding Operations
Poultry

Related topics
Biosecurity
Homeland Security for Agriculture

Information from EPA Regions
To determine which region applies to you, please visit Where You Live.
Region 3 - Contains general information, statistics, maps, and data tables
Region 5 - Contains AFO Sector Profile, EPA contacts, Federal and State program information, and technical and financial assistance information
Region 6 - Contains contact information, access to the CAFO database, permit references, and permit inspection forms
Region 7 - Contains contact information, where to register CAFO complaints, and information on permitting and inspection programs
Region 8 - Contains contact information, regulations and guidance, and State maps of livestock concentrations
Region 9 - Contains general information, EPA efforts in the states, tools and techniques, laws, terms, and contact information

Information from Other Organizations
Livestock and Trade Associations - Links to trade associations involved with the livestock industry.
Environmental Issues - Links to information about water quality, air quality, public health, and energy issues associated with AFOs/CAFOs.

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Regulations for AFOs Related to Water Programs

The following links provide information and facts on regulations for AFOs and CAFOs related to water programs.

2008 Final CAFO Final Rule (October 31, 2008) - provides information about the 2008 Final CAFO Rule including the preamble and text, fact sheets, background documents, and other important information.

2005 Second Circuit Court Decision - Provides information about the February 28, 2005 Second Circuit Court decision that altered provisions of EPA's 2003 CAFO rule.

CAFO Rule Supporting Documents - additional information about the CAFO Rule.

Managing Manure Guidance for CAFOs - Technical guidance to help NPDES permit authorities (States and EPA Regions), permittees, and technical service providers implement the February 2003 revised Permit Regulations and Effluent Guidelines for CAFOs.

Revised Guidelines for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations - revised permitting requirements and Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for CAFOs in response to Waterkeeper Decision

More information from EPA
CAFO Final Rule

Better Approach to Reporting Hazardous Substances from Farm Animal Waste - final rule providing an administrative reporting exemption for air releases of hazardous substances from animal waste at farms.

"Airing Out Environmental Directives" Exit EPA- an article in Pork Magazine featuring EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson.

"Environmental Management Systems - Good Business for Pork Producers" - an article by Jon Scholl, Counselor to the EPA Administrator for Agricultural Policy.

AFO Virtual Information Center - Tool to facilitate quick access to livestock agricultural information in the US. This site is a single point of reference to obtain links to state regulations, web sites, permits and policies, nutrient management information, livestock and trade associations, federal web sites, best management practices and controls, cooperative extension and land grant universities, research, funding, and information on environmental issues. You can search links by selecting a specific link category, by selecting a state to obtain state-specific links, or view all AFO Virtual Information Center links.

Livestock Environmental Stewardship Brochures - pictorial brochures for four agriculture sectors (poultry, beef, dairy, and swine) to be used as compliance assistance tools. The brochures present management practices found at agricultural facilities. The goal of the brochures is to benefit the producer by identifying and promoting best management practices and environmental stewardship.

NPDES Program for Animal Feeding Operations - more information and facts on AFOs, CAFOs, and the NPDES permitting program for CAFOs.

Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration Research on CAFOs - CAFO waste releases in the eastern U.S. have prompted a closer evaluation of the environmental impact on surface waters, but a corresponding effort has not been initiated for ground waters. GWERD researchers are evaluating these impacts for ground waters.

More information from USDA
eXtension Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center Exit EPA

Information from States Exit EPA
Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship CAFO Fact Sheets - a collection of 24 publications that address questions about revisions to the CAFO regulations.
Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning Resource from NASDA
Arsenic in Poultry Litter: Organic Regulations - Fact sheet on arsenic in poultry litter and how it can affect crops, soil, and water.

Information from Educational Institutions Exit EPA
Kansas State University - Carcass Disposal: A Comprehensive Review - provides a comprehensive summary of the scientific, technical, and social aspects of various carcass disposal technologies.

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Regulations for AFOs Related to Air Programs

The following links provide information and facts on regulations for AFOs and CAFOs related to air programs.

Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule
EPA has proposed a national system for reporting emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by major sources in the United States. Under the proposed Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) rule, owners or operators of facilities that contain manure management systems, and emit at least 25,000 metric tons of GHGs per year (expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents) would report emissions from all source categories located at the facility for which emission calculation methods are defined in the rule. Owners or operators would collect emission data; calculate GHG emissions; and follow the specified procedures for quality assurance, missing data, recordkeeping, and reporting.

Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule Web Site
March 10, 2009 Press Release

Resources
Guide for Agricultural and Livestock Sectors (PDF) (2pp, 43KB)
Manure Management fact sheet (PDF) (2pp, 133KB)
General Fact Sheet for the Proposed Mandatory GHG Reporting Rule (PDF) (2pp, 19KB)
Power point presentation providing a general overview of the Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule (PDF) (23 pp, 401KB)
Frequently Asked Questions

For questions that cannot be answered through the Web site or docket, call 1-877-GHG-1188

Air Emissions from Animal Feeding Operations (scroll down to "9.4 Livestock and Poultry Feed Operations")
Information on air pollutant emission factors from food and agricultural industries, including livestock and poultry feed operations. Related emission factor documents.

Rule Change Provides Exemptions from Reporting Requirements for Air Releases of Hazardous Substances from Farm Animal Waste
EPA has finalized a rule providing a full exemption for reporting air releases of hazardous substances from animal waste at farms to the federal government and a partial exemption of reporting the releases to state and local governments. This new rule exempts all farms from reporting air releases under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The new rule requires only large animal feeding operations to report certain types of releases to local and state agencies, as directed by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).

Full Text of the New Rule for Smaller Operations (PDF) (45pp, 180KB)
Office of Emergency Management fact sheet (PDF) (2pp, 56KB)
Region 7 fact sheet
Information from USDA/CSREES eXtension:Exit EPA The Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center Air Quality team has assembled information about this rule including determining responsibility, estimating emissions, and making a report.

Air Emissions Monitoring Study for Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs)
EPA collaborates with farmers on the first-ever nationwide study of air emissions from animal feeding operations (AFOs). Researchers from eight universities will take part in a two-year, $14.6 million study to measure levels of hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter, ammonia, nitrous oxide, volatile organic compounds, and other gases from poultry, dairy, and swine facilities at 24 sites in nine states as part of an innovative and voluntary consent agreement EPA developed with the AFO industry. This agreement established a framework for farmers to participate in a monitoring study in which over 2,600 agreements were signed, representing approximately 14,000 swine, dairy, egg-laying, and broiler chicken (meat-bird) farms (an AFO can include more than one farm).

More information on the Air Emissions Monitoring Study
June 14, 2007 Press Release

Air Quality Compliance Agreement for Animal Feeding Operations
On January 21, 2005, EPA announced an air quality compliance agreement to address emissions from certain animal feeding operations, also known as AFOs. The primary goals of the Air Quality Compliance Agreement are:

EPA's AFO Air Agreement Web page
Q &A's
Fact Sheet
Press Release (January 21, 2005)
Press Release (August 22, 2006)
Monitoring Protocol
Response to Public Comments on the AFO Air Agreement

New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Other Solid Waste Incineration Units (OSWI) - EPA is proposing new source performance standards and emission guidelines for new and existing "other" solid waste incinerators units. EPA describes the categories: (3) agricultural waste incinerators, (4) wood waste incinerators and (6) crematories (including livestock, poultry) in the rule; however, none of these three categories were included by EPA as a subcategory of Other Solid Waste Incinerators (OSWI) for regulation at this time.

Information from USDA
CSREES National Air Quality Program

Information from Educational Institutions Exit EPA
Center for Ag Air Quality Engineering and Science - The mission of the CAAQES is to provide the research, technology transfer, and educational programs that will result in appropriate regulation of agricultural operations, rapid adoption of new air pollution abatement technology, as well as increase the number of graduates pursuing careers in environmental air quality fields.

Manure Management and Air Quality - Information includes literature reviews, emissions quantification, control technologies, other links.

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