Wabash Plain Dealer
WEST LAFAYETTE - A new Web site featuring scientific information about concentrated animal feeding operations was developed by Purdue University to help people who make decisions about CAFOs.
"We wanted to develop a source of information that is based on science, not sentiment," said Alan Grant, head of the Department of Animal Sciences. "We are excited because this Web site brings information from multiple disciplines together and is easy for people to access."
The information, written by Purdue experts, is targeted to zoning boards, planning commissions, agricultural Extension educators, as well as citizens and farmers.
The Web site, online at www.ansc.purdue.edu/CAFO, covers environmental issues, public health issues, social and economic issues, and general information. Additional content will be added in the coming weeks.
"It's designed to be a clearinghouse of unbiased scientific information covering different issues related to modern animal agriculture," said Paul Ebner, Purdue Extension expert in animal science and Web site operator. "Let's say a zoning board has to make a decision about allowing a producer to build a CAFO within five miles of an elementary school," Ebner said. "That zoning board is receiving information from the producer, the local commodity group's organization, parents of school children, as well as neighbors of the producer and the school."
Much of the information zoning board members receive is biased and has strong emotions behind it, Ebner said.
"Now, the zoning board can visit the CAFO Web site and read about the environmental and public health issues of animal agriculture that could potentially affect children attending the school and sort myth from fact," he said.