Policy Solutions We Need
Of course, our North Star is a factory farm moratorium (stop building new ones, stop expanding existing ones), as well as fighting for a Farm and Food system that’s good for independent family farmers, workers, eaters and the environment/planet.
But there are steps we can take to get there, especially steps that make it more difficult and more costly for factory farms to build and operate.
The “in between” policies include:
Local control: so that counties (would be county boards of supervisors, who are elected by and directly accountable to local voters) decide if a factory farm construction permit should be approved. Right now, Iowa DNR makes that decision. We want counties to have that authority, counties should decide yes or no on construction permits.
Lower the threshold for construction permits from 1,000 animal units (for hogs, that’s 2,500 head or more at any one time in a confinement building) to 500 animal units (1,250 head of hogs) or even 300 animal units (750 head of hogs at any one time in a confinement building).
Lower the threshold for manure management plans from 500 animal units to 300 animal units. This would mean more factory farms need to submit MMPs to the DNR.
Tougher fines and penalties assessed by the DNR. Right now, the maximum fine that the DNR can levy on its own is $10,000. That needs to be jacked up to at least $50,000, or even more.
Eliminate the “pollution control” tax exemption for concrete manure pits. Right now, factory farms don’t have to pay property taxes on their manure pits (that are under the giant confinement buildings) because they claim they help “control pollution”. The property tax exemption has been in state law for decades, it was meant for something else but factory farms are using it as a loophole.
Increased separation distances for building factory farms (next to homes, public spaces, etc.) and for spreading factory farm manure. We can look up the current separation distances for building factory farms and spreading manure; they are minimal to say the least.
Tougher permitting standards. In particular, increase the score needed on the Master Matrix to receive a passing grade. Right now, it’s 440 points out of 880 points (50 percent). The Master Matrix is used to score a construction permit application. Factory farms always just get by with about 440-480 points. A passing grade of 50 percent is weak sauce. It needs to be closer to 75 percent, which would be 660 points.
Fully fund Iowa DNR. But if we do this, there needs to be a “no nonsense” commitment by DNR staff (including its state director) to uphold the mission of the DNR, which is to preserve/protect/improve our natural resources and environment.
Eliminate nuisance lawsuit protection for factory farms. In light of this ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court.