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Credit: Friends of Family Farmers/Flickr
A Michigan court ruling may reshape how animal waste is regulated
A recent Michigan Supreme Court decision could drastically change how the state — and possibly others — regulates pollution from industrial animal farms.
Keith Schneider reports for Circle of Blue and The New Lede.
In short:
- Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) now has the authority to enforce stricter manure management practices for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).
- The ruling is seen as a significant win for environmental advocates, who hope it will set a precedent for stronger regulations nationwide.
- CAFO waste, which contains harmful chemicals and bacteria, has been a major source of water pollution in Michigan and other states.
Key quote:
"This is a rare win for water protection."
— Sam Carpenter, executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council
Why this matters:
With this ruling, there’s hope that we might finally see a shift toward more sustainable and responsible farming practices that protect both our environment and our health. It's a win for clean water, and a wake-up call for an industry that’s been polluting unchecked for far too long.
Read more: Peak Pig: Our series on the fight for the soul of rural America
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