Associated Press
03-11-07
Change in Livestock Rules
Iowa lawmakers are considering a proposal that would overhaul the state's
livestock laws in hopes of reducing the threat to the environment.
The House Environmental Protection Commission has approved the bill, which
would distance expanding livestock operations from homes, water supplies and
tourist areas. It also abandons talk of giving local governments control over
zoning for livestock operations.
The bill would set a minimum distance between livestock farms and homes,
water supplies and tourist spots.
The state would not automatically reject an application to build a livestock
confinement within that distance, but the producer would be subject to an odor
analysis by Iowa State University.
Republican Representative Steve Olson of De Witt says he opposes the bill
because it would make it difficult to expand the state's livestock industry.
Democratic Representative Mark Kuhn of Charles City says the bill won't keep
livestock operations from growing and prospering.