News

Pork producers say bill would devastate expansion

Members of the Illinois Pork Producers Association have met with state lawmakers about a bill that they say would have a devastating impact on future livestock expansion.  Jim Kaitschuk, executive director of Illinois Pork says the Prairie Rivers Network is behind the Livestock Management Facilities Act, introduced in the Illinois House, “You know, heaven forbid I had a son or daughter that wanted to come back to the farm and add a barn so we could afford to have them there. It would certainly, severely, impact that ability.”

He says the measure would give counties far too much control, “The county now could say, yea or nay, on any new livestock farm or expanded farm before they could ever be constructed. That, obviously, is a significant change.”

Kaitschuk says there are mechanisms in the state to protect and enforce water pollution laws, “So, mechanisms currently exist in the state of Illinois, so why do we need this — other than just the fact that some people are just not going to like livestock operations?”

Kaitschuk says lawmakers they spoke with understand Illinois Pork’s concerns about House Bill 5637 which is poised to take a major step backwards in the process. But, amendments can always be added, so, – in his words- “nothing’s ever dead here in Springfield.”

Interview John Kaitschuk (6:00 mp3)