OH:Local activists’ ag claims lack any merit

An Ohio Department of Agriculture spokesman has disputed an activist group’s claim that the state agency has for 15 years lacked legal authority to issue or enforce permits for more than 200 livestock facilities large enough to be classified as concentrated animal feeding operations. “ODA’s priority has and will continue to be to operate a thorough and reasonable permitting program that protects Ohio’s natural resources while allowing agriculture to remain productive,” spokesman Brett B. Gates said.He said the department will continue to exercise its permitting authority, as designated by state and federal law. He called assertions made by Toledo-based Advocates for a Clean Lake Erie “just a repeat of previous statements and litigation, which was ultimately dismissed by the U.S. District Court for being ‘completely devoid of merit.’”