BALTIMORE (AP) - Environment Maryland is urging the governor to
help level the playing field for environmentally responsible
farmers.
The environmental group released a petition Thursday signed by
55 farmers, including many organic producers and those who supply
increasingly popular farmer's markets.
The petition says large poultry producers should be held
responsible for pollution caused by their feeding operations to
level the playing field for those already using more sustainable
practices.
Fertilizer and manure runoff is a key pollution source in the
Chesapeake Bay. Increasing regulation of large animal feeding
operations is one of the components of the federal Environmental
Protection Agency's new bay restoration strategy.
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