020423 Senator Urges “Civility” by Livestock Farmers

Johnston, IA - The livestock industry won't be free of controversy until producers show greater sensitivity to other farmers and city dwellers, a leading farm-state Republican says.

Among the most contentious issues is the waste produced by livestock farms.

"There does not seem to be the civility between livestock producers and other farmers and, even more so, people who work in town," said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa. "Until we establish civility and understanding of this discussion, I don't think there's going to be a solution."

Grassley spoke during a taping of Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press" program last week.

Grassley's views carry considerable weight. Serving his fourth term in the Senate, he is the senior elected Republican in Iowa and still actively farms a 710-acre corn and soybean operation with his son, Robin.

A bipartisan group of 12 lawmakers has worked to craft a compromise tightening regulation of livestock confinement operations in Iowa. That plan has come under heavy fire from all sides of the debate.

Environmental activists argue it doesn't go far enough in dealing with the millions of gallons of manure produced at hog confinement facilities. Countering that argument, nearly 1,000 farmers descended on the Statehouse recently, arguing the measure was so strict it would drive small producers out of business.

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