Group Seek Delay in Reporting Requirements

A November 15^th deadline to report on-farm air emissions is looming.  The National Pork Producers Council and the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association filed a brief in support of an EPA motion to delay a mandate that farmers report certain air emissions from manure on their farms.  Back in April, a federal court threw out an exemption for farms from reporting “hazardous” air emissions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Act and the Emergency Community Response Right to Know Act.  The court made the move after environmental groups sued the EPA in federal court.

Between 60,000 and 100,000 livestock and poultry farmers will have to file air emissions reports with the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center.  They’ll also have to file written reports to a local EPA office within 30 days of filing with the NRC.  Some farmers have already tried to file reports and the NRC phone system has been overwhelmed. Operators are refusing to accept reports from more than one farm per call because they’re worried about not being able to respond to emergencies. In filing the delay request, the EPA told the court it wants time to give farmers specific guidance on how to file those reports.

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