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The Ohio Livestock Coalition (OLC) denounced a recent call for a moratorium on concentrated animal feeding operations, saying that anti-growth policies are bad for the economy and prevent Ohio farmers from staying competitive.

"We're at a loss as to why anyone at this time would want to call a moratorium on growth and development in Ohio agriculture, particularly the livestock sector," said David White, OLC executive director. OFBF is an OLC member.

At a recent media event, a group supporting a moratorium claimed that CAFOs pose a threat to the environment and said permitting should be stopped until the concerns are dealt with.

White likened the situation to car manufacturers meeting new mandatory front safety belt requirements in the 1970s.

"We said over a period of time we want you to implement new safety standards," he said. "We didn’t say stop making cars until that’s done."

Ohio's livestock industry employs nearly 38,000 individuals and adds $7.89 billion in economic growth to the state. Livestock operations are the top customers of corn and soybean producers nationwide.

"People need to understand that there is a significant ripple effect when if these types of things happen," White said. "A moratorium hurts everyone."

Pat Hord, a Crawford County Farm Bureau member who operates Hord Livestock Co. with his family, said ending growth would be detrimental in any industry.

"If you’re not growing, you’re probably dying," he said.

Hord represented the swine industry as a member of the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s (ODA) Concentrated Animal Feeding Facility Advisory Committee from 2001-2002 and currently serves as an alternate member. He is one of 5,500 Ohio livestock farmers and manure applicators to have participated in the Livestock Environmental Assurance Program (LEAP) and other similar educational programs that promote sustainability by seeking profitable environmental solutions.

Hord said that although many like the notion of a small romantic farm, it is not realistic that consumers’ needs would be satisfied in today’s society.

"By in large, people want a safe, quality, nutritious, inexpensive source of food," he said.

According to White, out of a small number of states that have adopted moratoriums, none had guidelines in place for the expansion of livestock operations. In addition, moratoriums in North Carolina and Mississippi have prevented hog farmers from growing and staying competitive.

The ODA became the official agency for issuing CAFO permits more than two years ago. Ohio has been a national leader in livestock regulation and was one of the first states to enact into law changes to CAFO regulations made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

"The rules that are set up are stringent," Hord said. "It’s not something people can’t live with, but they’re definitely a strong set of rules."

The OLC also believes that the ODA permitting system is working and has had a policy resolution in place since last September opposing a moratorium on any size farm.

White said that while discussion continues on this issue, seeking a moratorium will not properly address the concerns being raised.

"Technology is always evolving," he said. "Asking to put an end to growth, instead of researching and finding solutions to problems is the wrong way to go."