Oregon bills would end "right-to-farm" protections for large dairies

A defunct Oregon dairy with an extensive history of wastewater problems loomed large over a legislative hearing March 21 about proposals to overhaul state dairy regulations. Proponents of changing the existing rules for "confined animal feeding operations," or CAFOs, argued that environmental violations at Lost Valley Farm of Boardman, Ore., underscored the need for increased safeguards.Opponents of several bills that would impose new restrictions on large CAFOs countered that Oregon's entire dairy industry should not be punished for the misdeeds of one bad operator.While the trouble at Lost Valley Farm constituted a "perfect storm" of regulatory difficulties, this extreme example "did reveal some weaknesses in our processes," said Sen. Mike Dembrow, D-Portland, chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Under Senate Bill 876, state regulators would have to sign off on the construction of a large “confined animal feeding operation,” or CAFO, such as a dairy with more than 700 mature cows.Before such a CAFO could begin operating, the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Department of Environmental Quality would have issue a final approval after ensuring it has secured all necessary permits and sufficient access to water.