Committee Meets to Discuss Wisconsin's Livestock Siting Law

Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 -- 9:00 AM

(Wisconsin Public Radio) A committee met for the first time Thursday as part of a review, which was broadcast on Wisconsin Eye.

Every four years, the agency must convene a group of experts to provide technical input on the standards used in the state’s livestock siting law, which was first enacted in 2006.

The law set technical standards for siting and expansion of livestock facilities that include setbacks, odor and air emissions, nutrient and runoff management and manure storage.

The agency must review its rule that sets those standards, and that rule must be protective of public health, cost-effective and promote the growth or viability of livestock farms.

Local governments must follow the standards if they decide to adopt an ordinance and require permits for siting and expansion of livestock farms with roughly 500 animals or more except in limited cases.

The law is intended to provide uniform regulation, according to Tim Jackson, the agency’s livestock facility siting program manager. The state has conducted three such reviews since the law was enacted in 2010, 2014 and 2018.

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