This week the Iowa Legislature is conferring over Senate File 2293, the “Livestock Bill.” The bill was written by 12 legislators in response to the numerous complaints they received from various communities and organizations. These organizations generally are not well-informed on the needs of the people in Iowa and are usually just looking at superficial environmental concerns for their own gratification.

Part of being a farmer is serving as a steward of the land. Sustainable agriculture, as it is properly called, is the process by which farmers use natural resources, but toe a very careful line between depleting those resources and making sure they are here for tomorrow. When asked, most farmers will tell you that they are, in fact, concerned with environmental conditions around their area. They are not out to just ruin everything and then pack up and leave.

Most producers stay and eventually retire in the same area they raised their stock. My house in Atlantic is within 100 yards of our feedlot. Sure, there is a smell, but what could we possibly expect? We’re raising livestock; it’s not like they flush after they’re done.

However, there have been some cases where the investor builds a confinement or lot and then leaves, and usually they do not follow any regulations set by the Department of National Resources. They let the citizens of the area deal with the after-effects of their irresponsibility. These are not the type of people that Senate File 2293 will affect. It’s the medium-sized producer who will be hurt by this bill if it is passed.

After taking a closer look at the bill, you will notice that it seems the DNR is attempting to gain more control over who, what, where and when producers can build confinements and lots, where they can spread the manure from these entities, and who is authorized to build. What it looks like the Legislature is doing is giving the DNR the power to determine who can stay in business here in our great state. It borders on discrimination, the way the DNR is allowed to evaluate producers. Residential status, family farm characteristics and good neighbor characteristics would be just a few of the requirements needed to receive a permit from the DNR to build your confinement or lot.

And even if you do get a permit from the DNR, you could still be prevented from building if your neighbors decide they don’t like you. If people do not like the smell of livestock, why are they living in the country? Move to town and live among people or move to the outskirts of town. If you can’t handle the smell, get out of the country.

Another slightly disturbing part of this bill is the fees the bill would authorize the DNR to charge the producer. This includes one-time filing fees of up to $500, as well as a charge up to 15 cents per animal unit. All of this goes to the Animal Agriculture Compliance Fund. What will stop the DNR from reallocating that money from that fund to another? The government does this all the time; why wouldn’t the DNR? This part of the bill is like rubbing salt in the producer’s wounds.

Not only are these people going to shut down half the confinements and cattle lots in the state, they are going to charge the producers themselves to hire 12 new inspectors for the DNR. I would hate to be one of those new inspectors. I don’t think the farmers are going to welcome them in for tea and cookies.

The Iowa Legislature has conferred numerous times over the need to attract and keep young people in our state. By closing various confinements and cattle lots, the legislature is eliminating jobs. Recent agriculture graduates from around the state would most likely have filled these jobs.

Hopefully the Iowa Legislature has gone over the economics of this bill and how it will affect the job market in our state. However, it seems they are rushing to pass this bill to get overzealous environmentalists off their back.

Environmental regulations are needed. The resources of the state must be well cared for so that they are around for tomorrow. We need to encourage education for farmers and producers so that instead of continuing to deplete our resources, they will understand the need to sustain the land.

Iowa is and always will be an agricultural state. We feed America’s people, and we should be proud of this. File 2293 does not make Iowa proud.

Danelle Zellmer is a sophomore in public service administration in agriculture from Atlantic.