CAFOs a concern in Catawissa area

To the editor: Residents of Columbia, Northumberland, Montour, Snyder, Union and surrounding counties, be aware of what is happening: CAFOs are entering Pennsylvania.

Those not aware of a CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) and operations, read the factual evidence.

CAFO is a system of factory farming which concentrates large number of animals into a small space for maximum efficiency. These factory farms are backed by large pork, beef or poultry moguls.

A CAFO is more efficient on the surface than a small family farm, but there are many concerns attributed with the introduction of a CAFO to a geographical area, starting with environmental impacts.

CAFOs have been casually called "the future of farming;" if so, the future looks bleak.

Already, Columbia County has CAFOs, the newest one to be built approximately 2 miles west of Catawissa, close to Route 487. It's a pig factory with approximately 4,300 animals. Recent developments show that this one may be scaled back to 2,400-plus pigs; regardless, it will still be a potential threat to this community.

All of our communities may be affected by these animal factories. The transportation of animals being led to slaughter - or more importantly the transportation of their waste - may contaminate your communities. The most recent was the six-mile stretch of chicken manure that leaked from a truck as it was being transported from an Orangeville area farm as it made its way through Catawissa to Buckhorn. This just happened the week of Jan 26.

Large amounts of animals generate large amounts of manure, which must be disposed of. This is accomplished by storing the feces and urine and spreading on farm fields. The most common technique is a sewage lagoon; these lagoons may rupture, spilling stored manure into streams and groundwater.

Because of the diet of the animals, it may have consequences; it is known to lead to intestinal imbalances, combined with the large amounts of additives in the food.

This manure may get contaminated with drug-resistant bacteria and hormones that can alter the surrounding wildlife that is exposed to it. Fish kills and serious problems have been linked to CAFOs.

The main concern is the human factor. This is an unnatural amount of ''fertilizer" that is being collected daily, stored and spread on fields by guidelines that should be followed, but they're not always monitored by agencies.

Some might be spread close to our Southern Area school complex. If this occurs, it should not be allowed without protest. Regardless where it's spread, there is potential for health problems.

The US Agriculture Dept. has cautioned that pathogens can be spread on farms by rodents and cats.

We, as the potential neighbors of this CAFO, will have to deal with the "residue," of this operation .

Townships across Pennsylvania, a coalitions of citizens, environmentalists, conservatives, liberals and farmers have banded together fighting the possible invasion of corporate hog farms Members have passed zoning laws in their townships to prohibit them.

Michigan, Iowa, North and South Carolina have been subjected to CAFOs and the damages associated with them.

We are asking from help from our representatives, Sen. John Gordner, Reps. Dave Millard and Robert E. Belfanti Jr.. Please call their offices to express your concerns. Contact U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski. Contact the Southern Area School Board members and question their views.

We have a lawyer who has been successful in stopping CAFOs. He's guiding us in all legal, proper ways to halt this operation .

With the hiring of this lawyer comes a fee; we are relying on donations for his services, not having the luxury of corporate lawyers. If you're a concerned citizen, local business person, farmer, student, homeowner, please join us.

Go on the Internet to understand CAFOs. Understand that some sites may be offensive to some sensitive viewers, but, indeed, they present facts and photos to educate.

Research for yourself and establish a view either for or against this type of "factory farming."

Also, join us; we meet at 7 p.m. each Thursday at the Catawissa Municipal Building, resuming Feb. 12.

Those who live here know that "country air" isn't supposed to smell like thousands of animals condensed into one building. Your communities should not be subjected to possible contamination .

We are all neighbors and must recall what we have been taught by God and parents: respect each other, the land, and the life that we have been blessed with.

These are animals, from God; they know pain and fear, it's a horrible way for their lives to be and to end.

As humans, we're superior over animals, but was it ever in God's plan for us to dominate over thousands of animals congested in one building, to be raised for slaughter? It's hard to comprehend that God would want it this way.

This CAFO and the spreading of manure near homes, wells and communities can insure no positive results. The only one will be the monetary increase to corporations .

Concerned Citizens Against

Concentrated Animal

Feeding Operations (CCACAFO)

John Carlin

Maryann Forester

Mark Ferraiolo

Lori Ferraiolo

Diane Gulden

Joseph Gulden

David Halye

Kennee Halye

Steve Lukas

Christopher Radziewicz

John Rarig

Dominic Romania

Lillian Romania

Eugene P. Valencik

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