By Danielle Kaeding
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is launching the latest review of standards used to regulate siting and expansion of large livestock farms.
A committee met for the first time Thursday as part of the review, which was broadcast on Wisconsin Eye. Every four years, the agency must convene a group of experts to provide technical input on the standards used in the state’s livestock siting law, which was first enacted in 2006.
The law set technical standards for siting and expansion of livestock facilities that include setbacks, odor and air emissions, nutrient and runoff management and manure storage. The agency must review its rule that sets those standards, and that rule must be protective of public health, cost-effective and promote the growth or viability of livestock farms.
Local governments must follow the standards if they decide to adopt an ordinance and require permits for siting and expansion of livestock farms with roughly 500 animals or more except in limited cases. The law is intended to provide uniform regulation, according to Tim Jackson, the agency’s livestock facility siting program manager. The state has conducted three such reviews since the law was enacted in 2010, 2014 and 2018.
"The reviews from these past technical expert committees have not made it to adoption into the rule," Jackson said. "We are very glad to have you folks here this time around and have some good productive discussions and hopefully get some changes into the rule if it’s determined some are necessary this time around."
The state’s last review under former Agriculture Secretary Brad Pfaff resulted in proposed changes that sparked a wave of opposition from farm groups, claiming they would damage farmers and force some out of business.
Some local governments, including Bayfield and Polk counties, have sought more local control over regulating large farms known as concentrated animal feeding operations or CAFOS. Adam Voskuil, staff attorney for Midwest Environmental Advocates, said they hope the committee’s work will lead to the development of a rule that addresses recommendations from prior reviews. Those reviews suggested updates to setback requirements, waste storage, odor and runoff management.
"We're hoping to see things that address issues related to odor and air quality, just to name a couple," Voskuil said. "We're hopeful that what comes out of this committee review will start to address those concerns."
Voskuil said concerns about local control have grown as CAFOs have expanded statewide with 331 CAFOs operating in Wisconsin.
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