May 2, 2006

Iowa may get tougher on construction of hog-related facilities

Lawmakers in Iowa, America's largest pig-farming state, is considering tighter legislation at a time when construction in pig farms is booming. 

At stake is Iowa's US$12 billion industry and the 63,000 jobs associated with pig farming.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources director Jeff Vonk's has proposed to have more factors being put into consideration before approving permits, such as whether manure from pig farms would affect the waterways.

Farmers dismissed tougher regulations as unnecessary while environmentalists hailed the move as a way to reduce pollution. 

The issue is drawing public attention in Iowa as construction of pig related facilities creep ever-closer to the cities and other populated areas.