Improperly managed livestock regulations can move the problem around without offering concrete solutions, says an American researcher.
Henry Tyrrell, who retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture this summer, told delegates at the Western Nutrition Conference in Saskatoon on Sept. 29 that relaxed enforcement of environmental rules in North Carolina allowed the hog industry to move there from other states.
“Now they have a (environmental) problem and must enforce strict regulations that will cap the industry,” he said.
“If you do not have a level playing field, you simply move the problem to a less regulated place.”
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Holland, which is also tightening its requirements, will likely face a 50 percent decrease in livestock production. Most will move to Eastern Europe.
“Unfortunately, production tends to shift to where regulations aren’t as strictly enforced,” he said.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is implementing air quality standards to control emissions of ammonia from animal production systems. Ammonia is formed when nitrogen in the form of urea is excreted in urine and mixed with fecal matter, negatively affecting air quality and human health.
Tyrrell said it could take 10 to 15 years to implement EPA guidelines and see significant change at the farm level.
“It’s not going to occur overnight,” he said.
Tyrrell called on the livestock industry to take a lead role in waste management and in assessing penalties.
“When you begin to enforce economic penalties in dealing with animal waste, that producer will begin to pay attention,” Tyrrell said, noting society is increasingly rejecting the “business as usual” model.
He said livestock waste management requires an integrated approach, which begins with reducing the overfeeding of phosphorous to animals.
Tyrrell said research on animal waste solutions should include experts directly involved in animal production.
The animal industry has abdicated its responsibility in dealing with waste management to soil scientists, agricultural engineers and environmentalists, he added.
“It’s an issue the livestock community has not wanted to deal with.”
He said handing responsibility to other interests can result in solutions that won’t work for producers.
Producers can reduce emissions by composting wastes, adopting extensive grazing systems and feeding systems tailored to the needs of each animal, injecting manure into soil instead of spreading and fine-tuning fertilizer applications to exactly where it’s needed.
Tyrrell said research is needed into how to separate urine from fecal matter and capture wastes in enclosed systems to prevent its escape into the atmosphere.
