July 25, 2006

US pork company denied permits in Iowa due to environmental concerns

A proposed factory in the state of Iowa was denied last week as they failed to meet the state's standards, the state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.

The company, Swine Graphics Enterprises, had applied for permits to build two 4,992-head hog finishing facilities. The county Board of Supervisors last month recommended that the state agency deny the proposal, according to a news release from Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (ICCI).

ICCI members were against the proposed hog factories over concerns that manure would be applied to fields that drain into rivers. It was also noted that the company had previous environmental violations of manure spills.

The DNR said the company's proposals failed to fulfill the points needed under the master matrix, a scoring system to evaluate the locating of confinement feeding operations.

However, the department added the company could re-apply as the issues can be remedied.