Concentrated Animal Feeding Facility Advisory Committee

September 10, 2002

Ohio Department of Agriculture

Bromfield Building

 

In attendance from the Ohio Department of Agriculture were: Deborah Abbott, Kristi Ford, Peggy Jackson, Michelle McKay, Jim Young, Andy Ety, Andy Rogowski, Gary Zwolinski, and Diane Conley.

 

Members Present

 

Members Absent

 

At the time Chairman Doug Alderman called the meeting to order, a quorum was not present.  Chairman Alderman reviewed the agenda.

 

June 11 Meeting Minutes

There were no changes to the meeting minutes. Once quorum was met, a motion was passed to approve the minutes.

 

Introduction of New Staff

ODA introduced the three new Livestock Engineers and two new Livestock Inspectors. 

 

Finalization of Program

The finalization of the Livestock Environmental Permitting Program was effective on August 19.  Director Dailey proposed to revoked 12 BEF permits and deny 11 other BEF permits.  ODA has been out on more than 12 inspections since finalization.

 

Ohio EPA/ODA MOA

There is a 30 page MOA between Ohio EPA and ODA.  We are holding bi-weekly meetings with Ohio EPA to review the permits held between both agencies.

 

Enforcement Actions

ODA sent out Letters of Violation to two facilities.

 

Complaints

The majority of complaints have been odors and flies.  ODA staff will be attending “fly school” at the Ohio Department of Health.

 

As of now, ODA’s process is recording the complaint.  The ODA inspector visits the facility to see if they are following the regulations and create a complaint follow-up report. We are currently responding to all complaints to establish baselines. Complaint reports, upon completion, are being sent out to the complainant and the farm implicated.

 

ODA’s 1-800 number is now printed on the fact sheets and complaint forms.  If there is a complaint after hours, the person can call ODA’s 800 number and ask that the appropriate emergency LEPP staff be notified.  The 800 number is also on the voice mail of LEPP’s main number.

 

The initial complaint should come through the LEPP office.  A form will be filled out regarding the exact location and problem.  An inspector will then do a follow up visit.  We have received a lot of complaints and a handful of anonymous complaints.  A LEPP inspector can at least telephone the complainant within 24 hours.  Sometimes the inspector can get there the same day, depending what time the complaint comes in.

 

Since the advisory committee has written the rules, ODA has good guidelines to follow, which makes it easier for the staff.

 

Inspections

Right now, we are doing joint inspections with Ohio EPA.  ODA has jurisdiction over the permits, and Ohio EPA has jurisdiction over NPDES issues.  But it’s good to know that Ohio EPA is there so we can learn the history of the facility.

 

 

Review Compliance Certificates

ODA sent a letter each facility that holds a permit number to make sure we have the correct information. Inspectors have not had many problems contacting the farmers.  We asked in the RCC letter to give us the correct information – which we received initially from Ohio EPA.  About a dozen facilities have contacted us with current information.

 

We are finding some permits on the borderline on whether they need a permit or not.  They are on hold, due to the sale of farms, under 1,000 animal units, or the facility didn’t end up expanding after the permit was issued.  But we will still plan to inspect these facilities.

 

Staff attended an informational meeting held in Fort Recovery with the local soil and water districts last week.  It was a very productive meeting, with 226 producers in attendance (109 representing facilities with existing permits and 117 for facilities interested in the rules for a permit).

 

Biosecurity

ODA has their own supply of rubber boots, overalls, etc.  We abide by all biosecurity rules.  The inspectors inquire what the security issues are before visiting the facility, which helps decide how many facilities they can visit in one day.  Some facilities prefer to supply our staff of those items.  ODA staff has always been welcome at the facilities.

 

There was one facility that no longer has poultry; they now are a worm farm.

 

Delegation Package

We are in the process of putting a delegation package together. 

 

Guidance Questions

Is ODA putting together a template for an Insect & Rodent Control Plan for farmers to use; is there one available?

Producers should take their existing plan – compare it to our form and check against it.  Then they need to make sure they are in compliance with us.

 

What about a Certified Livestock Manager?

We have talked about getting together a program for this, but it’s too early to do this right now.

 

How do you figure the “dry ton limit”?

It was suggested to have guidance on how the dry tons will be determined. Bedding is not included.

 

New Business

A proposal was made to have the CAFF Advisory Committee look into the issue of antibiotic resistance; bring in a panel of experts; find out what is going on in other parts of the country.

It was on a list of possible topics for this committee to pursue, but it would involve another division within ODA.  Authority to regulate antibiotic use is not directly in our statute so it is unclear if it is under this committee’s role.

 

There was discussion on whether to form a subcommittee on this subject.  It was decided that since the CAFF committee is on SB 141, it’s in the committee’s authority to look into the antibiotics in the manure.  We should leave that up to the agencies that do have the statutory authority to regulate antibiotics.

 

Open seats on CAFF Advisory Committee

The Director has not had a chance to make any decisions for the three positions.  Staff has met with the Director, but we need to do more research.  The director has a few people he wanted to talk to.  There are a dozen people on this list.

 

Question regarding complaints

What about the change of seasons regarding complaints vs. the length of drive?

Hopefully we will have a network of folks to help us through the local soil and water conservation districts. So far, all the complaints have been legitimate. The inspectors and other staff are trying to respond to all the complaints and visit as many facilities in the same area on the same day.

 

Animal Unit Work Group

Maurice Eastridge reported on the work group.  A draft table was handed out to committee members.  The number was changed in the body weight category. 

 

The question was asked how to count immature animals.  We haven’t run into that situation yet since the LEPP inspectors and engineers just started.  Need to clarify how things are going to be counted so the producers know.

 

The study we have done is adequate for now, until we hear from U.S. EPA.

 

Meeting adjourned.

 

Next meeting is scheduled for December 10, 2002, at 9 a.m. [NOTE: This meeting was later canceled.]