The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld a ruling that the Worth County, IA, ordinance regulating livestock production is “void and unenforceable” because it violates state law that prohibits counties from regulating livestock operations.
The court noted that livestock production is to be expressly regulated by the state, says Eldon McAfee, legal counsel for the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
In 2001, Worth County enacted a county ordinance called the Rural Health and Family Farm Protection Ordinance. It set standards for toxic and odorous air emissions and worker safety and water pollution for confinement feeding operations. Agricultural groups challenged the ordinance, a district court agreed the statute was invalid and illegal, and the county appealed to the higher court.
There was a lot to be positive about in the pork industry the last week of October. I realize it is difficult to be optimistic when you are still losing $25 to $30/head. I also realize that positive news at this point could be as dangerous as it is welcome. But facts are facts, and we must recognize them.
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As I begin this week's column, I"m reminded of two different "flip side" statements that may help characterize the topic at hand. The first is the old Archie Campbell schtick - "That's good - no that’s bad," which I have used before. The second reflects President Truman's frustration with economists' incessant use of the qualifier - "on the other hand" - to introduce the contrary opinion on a given topic. President Truman once demanded in his usual colorful language: "Will someone please find me a *!&%$*?>
