January 19, 2007

Iowa panel to review livestock rules

A panel of Iowa House members are considering rewriting Iowa's livestock regulations.

In one of the meetings held in this regard, Rep Marcie Frevert, D-Emmetsburg said the public had lately become more aware of environmental concerns about livestock confinements since the rules were last written in 2002. Lawmakers would review what is working and what is not from the 2002 laws, she said.

Three House Democrats including Frevert filed a bill that would allow counties to adopt zoning ordinances for hog confinements and manure storage facilities.

The bill would require the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to deny a construction permit for a new confinement if it would violate the local county ordinance.