Dust Regulations For Washington Feedlots

Dust Regulations For Washington Feedlots

During this year's Washington legislature there have been companion bills in both the House and Senate to bring cattle feedlots back under the ag exemption when it comes to odor or fugitive dust caused by ag activity.

Washington Cattle Feeders Association President and Moses Lake Agribeef's General Manager Rob Miller says this legislation, which is awaiting Governor Inslee's signature, won't change the fact that feedlots in the state are still complying with best management practices — or BMPs — but will assist in stopping additional overreaching regulations.

Miller: "We're not asking to be excluded and not be regulated. We welcome the regulations. We are happy to codify our BMPs. We're going to continue to behave the way that we always have — we will continue to be good stewards of the land; we will continue to be good neighbors and we are going to continue to provide a safe environment for our employees and cattle to be in. Those that are not following the BMPs will be regulated in the same way that any farming entities would be regulated. If any farmer in the country or the state if they are making excessive dust and not using the right technology or equipment to mitigate their dust can be fined. We're just asking to be put into that ag exemption. We will continue to do these BMPs and perform our best management prices and we're going to continue to behave the way we always have. Ultimately it just slams the door on this overreach."

Previous ReportVigilance Needed Surrounding States' Legislation
Next ReportChina Has Great Opportunity for U.S Beef