7a703f56_race_draws_statewide_attention__1
[0] The EPA is attempting to regulate concentrated animal feeding operations and label such operations as point-source pollution. What is your opinion of the EPA’s new rules and how would you address them? [2] The EPA is attempting to require a discharge permit for concentrated animal feeding operations [CAFO] based solely on numbers. This is wrong. Permits for discharge should be based on actual discharge, not the potential to discharge. I believe most farmers are practicing environmentalists. My family has been drinking the water (from our farm) for over 140 years. What better reason to be a good steward of our land and water. I will defend agriculture based on sound scientific data. Agriculture has made great strides in conservation practices and implementation of best management practices. We don’t have a choice. Remember: No farm, no food. [3] EPA regulations on concentrated animal feeding operations should be scale appropriate similar to the need for USDA food production involving GAP practices of small West Virginia growers relative to industrial agriculture. Regulations developed for industrial agriculture are not scale appropriate for West Virginia producers who currently are receiving a premium price per pound for their beef because it is raised more naturally with many fewer head per acre than the large industrial feed lots. They not only have less need for antibiotics but also have less animal waste impact on our streams. Much more effective than a point source system of regulation and inspection would be the continued work of the WVDA, WVU and WVSU Extension, and NRCS in current and planned nutrient management programs. The rising costs of chemical fertilizers necessitates that we not allow “nutrients” to become “wastes” and “pollutants.” I have been working with WVSU on developing a mobile aeration compost unit that combines food ‘wastes’ from the cities with animal ‘wastes’ on the farm to produce useful soil amendment. [4] The EPA is an agency that has the ability to make its own rules. There is the problem and until Congress takes action to limit the ability of this agency to self rule, controversy will always be a part of its decision making. As commissioner, I will work with our congressional delegation and other organizations to get the powers of this agency under control. [5] I’ve already worked extensively on EPA regulations. My office has been in Moorefield since I started in 1981. That’s the heart of where EPA has been gouging agriculture. Over those years, agriculture has just been an easy target. We’ve got to maintain our science-based information and keep it up to date so we know what’s out there and we can deal with it, and if there’s not a problem, which is the case in a lot of areas, we have that information to deal with it with the EPA. Somewhere along the line, someone said we should just abolish the EPA. That’s not realistic, and that’s not going to happen. We have to realize the EPA is here to stay and have to realize how to combat their issues as they bring them up. [6] Did not respond to repeated attempts to contact him. [7] Could not be reached for comment [1] 
The EPA has a history of mandating farmers take expensive measures to reduce pollution without the science to back up the need for the mandates. Everyone wants clean air and water. The farmer’s bottom line improves with sound conservation practices, yet the EPA continues to use old data and an unworkable model to dictate requirements on farmers they do not even know can be met. As commissioner, I would work hard to provide sound science to the EPA in support of our farmers. If the farmers are a problem, we will know for sure and help them resolve any issues. Hopefully we can resolve issues with common sense, but if science and reason fail to protect our farming industry, I would provide the sound science and advice to the state’s Attorney General who can bring the legal system to bear on the issues. None of the above is happening today.
AgriHunt: WV agriculture commissioner race draws statewide attention
1