Posted on 06/04/2006 11:42:05 PM PDT by neverdem
Environmental activists are teaming up with state attorneys general and trial lawyers to bankrupt the nation's livestock farmers -- in the name of saving the environment. If the situation wasn't so serious, it would be hilarious.
The activists -- including the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and the Union of Concerned Scientists -- are trying to convince Congress the nation's farms should be treated as industrial waste sites and therefore subject to severe penalties under the federal Superfund law. Some state attorneys general, supported by trial lawyers, have filed lawsuits to the same end. Why? They argue, animal manure is a hazardous substance.
They now demand Congress refuse to clarify that the Superfund law was never intended to apply to natural animal waste. They are claiming -- falsely -- that without Superfund, animal waste would be unregulated. Manure already is heavily regulated under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and other federal and state regulations.
Proponents of adding animal waste to Superfund falsely claim small family farms won't be affected. Under Superfund, huge penalties can be levied against small operations and even individuals. Tens of thousands of small family farmers could be affected.
Congress never intended the Superfund law to apply to farms -- it was designed to clean up industrial waste sites like Love Canal. But because it did not specifically exempt animal waste, activists now seize on this lack of clarity to haul farmers before the courts and apply the draconian penalties permissible under Superfund.
If the activists succeed, farmers could face penalties of many millions of dollars, and thousands of small farmers could be forced off their land. "The domestic livestock industry would be driven from this country, the grain industry would be crippled, and farm families and communities would..."
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
This is ridiculous. Animal waste is biodegradable, and adds nutrients to the soil.
(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")
Why am I not surprised???
There are some mega-farms that are a bad as industrial polluters. These farms foul groundwater and rivers. But I sure hope they aren't dealt with a super fund sites via laws intended for industry.
Liberal lawyer activist rats are obviously behind this. Lawyers are sucking the life out of productive sectors of our economy
Huh? If these people had nothing to protest they would have no life.
It would be funny to see the green-pinkos starving ouside of a McDonalds because they can't get organic vegies and won't touch a big mac.
Death to the Left
Activists are a waste site.
Ping.
Nothing to worry about here. Congress has a history of protecting their own, and there's no bigger collection of bull- than it D.C..
*than IN D.C..
(It's too early...)
Call Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp! They can do a Farm Aid concert to help.
Oh, wait- they're liberals! nevermind
"Some state attorneys general, supported by trial lawyers, have filed lawsuits to the same end. Why? They argue, animal manure is a hazardous substance."
Therefore, animals are hazardous to the environment.
Those poor animals, where's PETA when the cows need them. LOL. Amen.
Do bears $#*! in the woods?
They will be shunned by the greenies because they advocate pollution!
"This is ridiculous. Animal waste is biodegradable, and adds nutrients to the soil."
My thoughts exactly.
i'm thinking long and hard as to how i might bring out the next 'environment protection' scam....they money is there for the taking if i can just come up with the scam......sheesh! why didn't i think about that 'shit'????
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