Agriculture: Animal Production

Information about environmental aspects relating to the production of livestock and poultry.
 
On this page:

Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)

Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) are agricultural operations where animals are kept and raised in confined situations. AFOs generally congregate animals, feed, manure, dead animals, and production operations on a small land area. Feed is brought to the animals rather than the animals grazing or otherwise seeking feed in pastures. Animal waste and wastewater can enter water bodies from spills or breaks of waste storage structures (due to accidents or excessive rain), and non-agricultural application of manure to crop land.

An AFO is a lot or facility (other than an aquatic animal production facility) where the following conditions are met:
  • Animals have been, are, or will be stabled or confined and fed or maintained for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and
  • Crops, vegetation, forage growth, or post-harvest residues are not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion of the lot or facility.

AFOs that meet the regulatory definition of a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) may be regulated under the NPDES permitting program. The NPDES program regulates the discharge of pollutants from point sources to waters of the United States. CAFOs are point sources, as defined by the CWA [Section 502(14)]. To be considered a CAFO, a facility must first be defined as an AFO.

Top of Page

Federal CAFO inspection information/biosecurity

Top of Page

State animal feeding operation programs

EPA has authorized most states to implement the NPDES program on EPA’s behalf. Where states have been given this authority, they are the primary agency for permitting and inspections.

Top of Page

Aquaculture

Top of Page

Clean Air Act and animal feeding operations

Top of Page

Pasture, rangeland, and grazing information

Information about environmental issues specifically relating to the livestock production in pastures, rangeland, and other grazing operations.,

Top of Page

Related information from EPA

Top of Page

Related information from USDA

Top of Page