There’s been discussions at recent Greene County Board of Supervisor meetings to pass a resolution for the state legislature to review the master matrix for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).

In February, the Supervisors approved the county’s 99th hog confinement, which included over 100 livestock. The Supervisors approved at the beginning of the year to once again follow the master matrix system with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The system requires livestock producers to meet at least 440 of 880 points to build a livestock confinement facility. Members of the public have called for a review of the matrix, citing the 20-year-old system doesn’t reflect changes in the agriculture industry.

Letters of resolutions have been brought to the Supervisors for consideration. The Board has been wanting to present the proposed resolutions to the opposition before giving their final approval, to make sure all sides are heard. The state legislature has the ability to review and make adjustments to the matrix and District 24 Senator Jerry Behn he says he wants to see specific recommendations for changes to it.

“Because we all know the livestock industry in the state of Iowa is an important industry. We don’t want to stop it and yet we want to be sure that we have clean water and clean air. I think all-in-all it would be a good idea for specific suggestions to get forwarded. And perhaps in the end we should set up a working group or an interim committee to take a look and study that.”

To make suggestions and changing the master matrix, contact Behn via email at jerry.behn@legis.iowa.gov.