Attorney General's News Release

Dec. 15, 1997

Nixon calls for "good neighbor" policy from mega confined animal feeding operations to implement odor standards

Osage Beach, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon said today that Missouri's largest confined animal feeding lots need a "good neighbor policy" allowing for the adoption of odor standards affecting the 20 largest hog, chicken and cattle operations in Missouri. The proposal only affects the largest operators and does not affect the remaining Missouri farms, including the traditional family farms.

Nixon discussed the need for an odor standard in a speech at the Governor's Agricultural Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks.

"The mega facilities need to be good neighbors that are respectful of the quality of life in rural communities," Nixon said. "When a stench from a confined animal lot is so bad you can't enjoy a family reunion in your backyard or a barbecue in the summer even miles from the facility it is time to make changes. It is time to ask for a good neighbor' policy from these large businesses."

Last week Nixon asked the Missouri Air Conservation Commission to consider odor standards for the largest corporate farms in the state. There currently are 20 such Class IA facilities in the state. Nixon's proposal specifically excludes family farms, which make up the vast majority of agriculture operations in Missouri, and said he would not support any change to apply the odor rule to traditional farms.

"I agree with the position of the Farm Bureau in its 1997 policy statement, recognizing and supporting the distinction made between very large operations and the more typical smaller-sized independent operations," Nixon said. "As the Farm Bureau points out, it makes sense to have different standards for these large operations.

"Almost every other large business in this state is subject to odor standards," Nixon said. "I believe we can accommodate competing interests in this area by supporting odor standards for corporate farms just like the standards we have for every other industry in the state.

"In Missouri, we want to lead not only in agriculture but also in quality of life," Nixon said. "This requires a balance that includes respect for the land and our neighbors -- a respect that is traditional and ingrained in Missouri farmers."

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

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