March 27, 2007

New US law clarifies that animal waste not considered hazardous

The US Congress has introduced two environmental laws that clarified that chicken litter and other types of animal manure would not be considered hazardous waste under federal law.

The law comes into play at a time when the issue has come into the public eye through potential lawsuits on land uses and dumping of animal waste. 

Poultry litter is a natural product that is commonly used as fertilizer for row crops and that animal agriculture emissions were never intended to be covered by environmental laws meant for industrial factories, Steve Pretanik, National Chicken Council director of science and technology said.

National Turkey Federation President, Joel Brandenberger said some courts are misinterpreting the original intent of the law, and this bill makes it clear that these laws do not apply to animal agriculture.