CONNECTICUTCONNECTICUTCONNECTICUTCONNECTICUT

Livestock and Poultry IssuesLivestock and Poultry Issues

Bruce A. Sherman, DVM, MPHBruce A. Sherman, DVM, MPH

Director, Bureau of Regulation and InspectionDirector, Bureau of Regulation and Inspection

Livestock and Poultry IssuesLivestock and Poultry Issues

Bruce A. Sherman, DVM, MPHBruce A. Sherman, DVM, MPH

Director, Bureau of Regulation and InspectionDirector, Bureau of Regulation and Inspection

Definition of AgricultureDefinition of Agriculture

C.G.S. §1-1(q)C.G.S. §1-1(q)

The words "agriculture" and "farming" shall The words "agriculture" and "farming" shall include…..include….. the raising, shearing, feeding, the raising, shearing, feeding, caring for, training and management of caring for, training and management of livestock,livestock, including horses, bees, including horses, bees, poultry,poultry, fur-bearing animals and wildlife.fur-bearing animals and wildlife.

Definition of Livestock and PoultryDefinition of Livestock and Poultry

C.G.S. §22-278C.G.S. §22-278 “Livestock"“Livestock" is defined as is defined as any camelid or hooved animal raised for any camelid or hooved animal raised for domestic or commercial use.domestic or commercial use.

C.G.S. §22-324C.G.S. §22-324 “Poultry"“Poultry" means all means all domesticated fowl, including chickens, domesticated fowl, including chickens, turkeys, water fowl and pet, zoological or turkeys, water fowl and pet, zoological or psittacine birds.psittacine birds.

Animal Density Animal Density Minimum Acreage RequirementsMinimum Acreage Requirements

State statutes and regulations do not set State statutes and regulations do not set minimum acreage requirements for any minimum acreage requirements for any species of livestock or poultry.species of livestock or poultry.

Livestock and poultry Livestock and poultry management management practices have a greater impactpractices have a greater impact on animal on animal care and environmental factors than do care and environmental factors than do minimum acreage requirements. minimum acreage requirements.

Animal Density Animal Density Minimum Acreage RequirementsMinimum Acreage Requirements

Restrictions on the number of animals kept per Restrictions on the number of animals kept per acre does not necessarily result in better acre does not necessarily result in better management practices.management practices.

If municipalities insist on implementation of If municipalities insist on implementation of minimum acreage requirements, such minimum acreage requirements, such restrictions should be reasonable and adaptable restrictions should be reasonable and adaptable to differing types of livestock and poultry to differing types of livestock and poultry operations and be site-dependent. operations and be site-dependent.

Animal Density Animal Density Minimum Acreage RequirementsMinimum Acreage Requirements

Increased interest in “local” and “produce your Increased interest in “local” and “produce your own” food sources has lead to a continuing own” food sources has lead to a continuing growth in “backyard” or “hobby” animal food growth in “backyard” or “hobby” animal food production – especially poultry and egg production – especially poultry and egg production. production.

Youth educational projects such as those Youth educational projects such as those supervised through 4-H and Vo-Ag often involve supervised through 4-H and Vo-Ag often involve a single or at best a few animals.a single or at best a few animals.

Minimum acreage requirements, if too restrictive, Minimum acreage requirements, if too restrictive, discourage such endeavors. discourage such endeavors.

Right to Farm LawRight to Farm LawPublic Health Statute C.G.S. §19a-341Public Health Statute C.G.S. §19a-341

Agricultural or farming operation Agricultural or farming operation

not deemed a nuisancenot deemed a nuisance DPH statuteDPH statute Odor, noise and dust Odor, noise and dust Must meet “generally accepted” agricutural Must meet “generally accepted” agricutural

practices as determined by the practices as determined by the Commissioner of AgricultureCommissioner of Agriculture

Right to Farm LawRight to Farm LawPublic Health Statute C.G.S. §19a-341Public Health Statute C.G.S. §19a-341

Use of chemicals and certain exemptions Use of chemicals and certain exemptions from water pollution – approval from from water pollution – approval from Commissioner of D.E.P.Commissioner of D.E.P.

Farming operation must be in operation for Farming operation must be in operation for 1 year or more and has not been 1 year or more and has not been substantially changed. substantially changed.

Terminology Terminology Re: Management PracticesRe: Management Practices

““Best”Best” Management Practices vs. Management Practices vs. “Generally Accepted”“Generally Accepted” Management Practices.Management Practices.

Agricultural guidelines for producers use the term “best” Agricultural guidelines for producers use the term “best” management practices.management practices.

From a regulatory or enforcement perspective, the term From a regulatory or enforcement perspective, the term “best” sets the bar too high when used in regulations and “best” sets the bar too high when used in regulations and ordinances. ordinances.

Who or what governmental entity makes the Who or what governmental entity makes the determination if an agricultural operation is in compliance determination if an agricultural operation is in compliance with the standards set for livestock and poultry with the standards set for livestock and poultry management practices? management practices?

Other IssuesOther Issues

Manure ManagementManure Management On-Farm On-Farm StockpiledStockpiled Synergy – poultry/crop productionSynergy – poultry/crop production Regulatory – agency cooperationRegulatory – agency cooperation

Set-Back RestrictionsSet-Back Restrictions

Commercial vs. Non-Commercial FarmsCommercial vs. Non-Commercial Farms