OK Considers Rules Addressing Poultry Farm Growth

Oklahoma’s board of agriculture is considering adopting setbacks and other rules addressing the increasing number of poultry operations in the northeast part of the state. Local media reports say the operations are using up the local water supplies. The proposed rules are available on the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture’s Food and Forestry website. If adopted, the rules would require new or expanding operations to be located at least a quarter-mile from the nearest occupied residence, as well as at least a half-mile from a public school or incorporated city limit. Board members are expected to discuss the proposed rules during a meeting next week. The industry website Meating Place Dot Com says 207 new poultry operations were established in eastern Oklahoma over the past year. The farms support an expansion of a Simmons processing facility in nearby Arkansas. Back in November, Oklahoma placed a moratorium on applications to build new poultry feeding operations to allow more time to consider the issue.