Transcript CONNECTICUT Livestock and Poultry Issues Bruce A. Sherman, DVM, MPH

CONNECTICUT
Livestock and Poultry Issues
Bruce A. Sherman, DVM, MPH
Director, Bureau of Regulation and Inspection
Definition of Agriculture
C.G.S. §1-1(q)
The words "agriculture" and "farming" shall
include….. the raising, shearing, feeding,
caring for, training and management of
livestock, including horses, bees, poultry,
fur-bearing animals and wildlife.
Definition of Livestock and Poultry

C.G.S. §22-278 “Livestock" is defined as
any camelid or hooved animal raised for
domestic or commercial use.

C.G.S. §22-324 “Poultry" means all
domesticated fowl, including chickens,
turkeys, water fowl and pet, zoological or
psittacine birds.
Animal Density
Minimum Acreage Requirements
 State
statutes and regulations do not set
minimum acreage requirements for any
species of livestock or poultry.
 Livestock
and poultry management
practices have a greater impact on animal
care and environmental factors than do
minimum acreage requirements.
Animal Density
Minimum Acreage Requirements

Restrictions on the number of animals kept per
acre does not necessarily result in better
management practices.

If municipalities insist on implementation of
minimum acreage requirements, such
restrictions should be reasonable and adaptable
to differing types of livestock and poultry
operations and be site-dependent.
Animal Density
Minimum Acreage Requirements
Increased interest in “local” and “produce your
own” food sources has lead to a continuing
growth in “backyard” or “hobby” animal food
production – especially poultry and egg
production.
 Youth educational projects such as those
supervised through 4-H and Vo-Ag often involve
a single or at best a few animals.
 Minimum acreage requirements, if too restrictive,
discourage such endeavors.

Right to Farm Law
Public Health Statute C.G.S. §19a-341
Agricultural or farming operation
not deemed a nuisance
 DPH statute
 Odor, noise and dust
 Must meet “generally accepted” agricutural
practices as determined by the
Commissioner of Agriculture
Right to Farm Law
Public Health Statute C.G.S. §19a-341
 Use
of chemicals and certain exemptions
from water pollution – approval from
Commissioner of D.E.P.
 Farming operation must be in operation for
1 year or more and has not been
substantially changed.
Terminology
Re: Management Practices
“Best” Management Practices vs. “Generally Accepted”
Management Practices.
 Agricultural guidelines for producers use the term “best”
management practices.
 From a regulatory or enforcement perspective, the term
“best” sets the bar too high when used in regulations and
ordinances.
 Who or what governmental entity makes the
determination if an agricultural operation is in compliance
with the standards set for livestock and poultry
management practices?

Other Issues
Manure Management

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On-Farm
Stockpiled
Synergy – poultry/crop production
Regulatory – agency cooperation
Set-Back Restrictions
Commercial vs. Non-Commercial Farms