More than 2,000 animal feeding operations (AFOs) have signed agreements for the EPA's air compliance initiative. Applicants originated from over 37 states and included representation from the pork, egg layers, meat birds and dairy industries. Once the EPA has made an official determination as to whether all types of animals are adequately represented, the agency will request approval from the agency's Environmental Appeals Board before the study can begin.

“Thousands of farms across the country have committed to participating in the air monitoring process, and, if necessary, take whatever steps are required to come into compliance with clean air standards,” said Jon Scholl, agricultural adviser to the EPA administrator. “This broad participation is a major achievement. We now will move as quickly as possible to the monitoring and implementation stages.”

The two-year monitoring study, expected to begin in early 2006, will provide the EPA with the essential data needed to develop emissions estimating methods and tools, which will assist the industry and the agency in determining the air compliance status of AFOs. Participating AFOs would then be required to determine their emissions and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements. Under the agreement, the EPA will not sue participating AFOs for certain violations of the Clean Air Act and the hazardous release reporting requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act that may have occurred during the two-year study.

For more information about the agreement, visit www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/agreements/caa/cafo-agr-0501.html.