Wed, Nov 25 2009
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He didn’t think much about it until he got to the part that sounded an alarm about “the routine use of specially-formulated feeds that incorporate antibiotics, other antimicrobials and hormones to prevent disease and induce rapid growth” in confined animals.
The report said the practice should be restricted because of growing concerns about the potential impact on humans and animals. The recommendation was among several made by a 15-member panel of experts who have expertise in public policy, veterinary medicine, public health, agriculture, animal welfare and rural culture that looked at the impact of CAFOs over a period of 21/2 years. The commission was chaired by former Kansas Gov. John Carlin. Bob Martin, chairman of the Pew group that looked at CAFOs, said the concern raised by Bentlage about his herd is justified. “We have seen it elsewhere. Specific public health problems and threats to other species,” he said. “It’s what happens when you pack these animals together so closely. It’s particularly true with hog CAFOs and their liquid-waste management. We have seen that in Iowa and South Carolina.” The Pew panel, he said, also documented that the downwind plume from hog CAFOs may cause higher rates of asthma among children stemming from the release of ammonia hydrogen sulfide and particulate matter from buildings in which the animals are confined. “There are all sorts of pathogens in the waste,” Martin said. “It sits untreated in the lagoon and then it is sprayed on the ground untreated. It contains pathogens, excess antibiotics, excess hormones and heavy metals. Anything fed to the animal and excreted out can show up in the water.” The Pew panel also found that the industry is not sufficiently regulated to protect nearby residents. “Regulation varies widely from state to state. Most state regulation is not adequate. There are laws on the books, but not enough resources out in the field to regulate CAFOs,” he said. “We found that the agro-industrial complex has an overwhelmingly and undo amount of influence at most every level of government. They dominant the research, too.” More research Bentlage says he wants to find out whether his herd is being impacted by the hog CAFO and plans to contact a veterinarian with the College of Agriculture at the University of Missouri-Columbia to do a study. He also is looking for a laboratory to test water in the creek for antibiotics and growth hormones. Dr. Robert Zinnikas, with Four Corners Embryo Transfer, of Langley, Okla., Bentlage’s veterinarian, said he would have do a lot more research before he could take a position on what’s happening with Bentlage’s herd. Zinnikas, who handles artificial insemination chores for Bentlage, questioned whether the same bull was responsible for the twins. If so, there could be something wrong with the blood line; Bentlage said different bulls were used. Bentlage and some of his neighbors have been at odds with Synergy LLC, of Lamar, the owner of the hogs, and the company challenged a vote last year by township residents. The residents attempted to control CAFOs at the township level by giving the township board authority to regulate the numbers of animals in a CAFO. The board unanimously voted to place the issue on the ballot last fall. It was approved by 81 percent of the township’s voters. 
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