MCAC: THE FOUR PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURAL TRANSPARENCY
A recent report from USDA acknowledges that agriculture is the “largest single source” of nutrient
pollution to the Chesapeake Bay, with animal agriculture being “a significant source” of that pollution.
In Maryland, public access to information about this “significant source” and the pollution it generates is
restricted by policy, regulation and statute. Neighbors concerned about their children’s health, NGOs
fighting to restore our waters, the press serving its role as “the fourth estate” – all are prohibited from
knowing how much pollution a farm is discharging; what types of chemicals it is spraying in the air;
whether it is following manure spreading rules; and if the government is doing its job ensuring
compliance with the law.
Unlike other significant sources of pollution, agriculture’s actions are shrouded in secrecy.
Secrecy neither protects our natural resources nor holds government accountable. MCAC partners
believe that transparency is essential to successful conservation and good government. They embrace
the following four principles:
1.
Agricultural sources of pollution should disclose to the government the nature, location,
amount, management, discharge, and dangers of any pollutant that threatens public health
and water quality. This includes nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, and sediment. This is
routinely required of commercial dischargers, users of toxic substances, and other
businesses. Farming should not be an exception.
2. This data and information should be easily accessible by any member of the public. The
public’s ‘right to know’ should not be obfuscated by burdensome costs or procedures. Easy
access includes:
a. Available both in-person at the record keeping agency and online in an open-source,
searchable format.
b. Available at low or no cost to non-profit and community organizations.
3. Denials of any requested access should be limited by narrowly and clearly defined
standards. When there is doubt over granting or denying access, the presumption should be
to grant access. Challenges to denials should be appealable through a simple process and
resolved by an independent, objective party; litigation should be available only as the step
of final resort.
4. Whenever a farming business receives government funding, the farm’s business records
should be on-file with the government and accessible by the public. It is the public’s money
which the farm is receiving and the public has a right to know who is spending the money
and how it is being spent.
Maryland prides itself in being a leader for its progressive and responsible attitude toward restoration of
the Bay. Yet it remains a bastion of secrecy when it comes to agricultural pollution accountability.
MCAC believes it is time for this to change.