The Future of Animal Agriculture in North America - Farm Foundation

and services. The success of the local business depends on its
ability to change from products no longer needed to new
technologies demanded by the production sector. Benefiting the
most will be businesses providing products or services related to
environmental protection, such as nutrient management
consultants, engineers, manure haulers and nutrition experts.
These impacts are likely to vary by animal sector and by the
region’s economic structure, i.e., the degree to which inputs are
purchased locally versus regionally.
Agribusinesses. Agribusinesses that operate across state,
provincial or national borders may benefit from more uniform
and predictable regulatory programs. Agribusinesses in better
financial standing may be better able to adapt or relocate as
regions, technologies and sectors may be impacted differently.
Some businesses would benefit as producers purchase new
technologies to meet water or air quality standards. Similarly to
what was discussed above for producers, if environmental
regulation substantially raises costs, competitiveness of
agribusinesses that support animal agricultural production may
be challenged.
Rural Residents. Improvements may result in water and/or air
quality in areas where animal agriculture reduces density or
implements more environmental friendly practices. Given the
slow movement and/or buildup of nutrients in soils, water
quality benefits in some areas may take months, years and
possibly decades to be realized. Some surface water concerns,
such as pathogens, would be reduced more quickly, as would air
quality concerns. To the extent that environmental and
nuisance impacts of animal agriculture reduce nearby residents’
property values, a reduction in these off-site impacts through
stricter regulations, technology adoption or closing of animal
production farms should lead to an increase in property values
near animal facilities. On the other hand, many types of
agriculture generate amenities that neighbors and rural residents
enjoy (Batie, 2003). To the extent that these amenities are lost
when farms go out of business and/or convert to other uses,
rural residents may be less well off, and possibly see a decline in
property values.
Citizenry/Taxpayers. Animal agriculture is an important
economic activity in North America, particularly rural areas.
Increasing regulations, incentives for environmental
performance, or research on new technologies or innovative
institutional programs will require an investment from the
public sector. Taxpayers will carry part of the cost. Some
benefits would be obtained by reallocation of existing
government funds to cost sharing, technical assistance and
education to targeted areas and farms. But more government
funds would be needed to accomplish other program aspects,
thereby increasing taxes. The general citizenry’s welfare would
be reduced as they would have less money to spend on other
items. The public-sector costs differ with the options selected.
Increased regulation places a burden on industry, but there is a
Environmental Issues 109
cost of policing the regulated firms. Incentive-based programs
to encourage implementation of BMPs involve a cost share
from the government. Industry-led efforts to achieve more
accurate pricing of products and byproducts and improved
environmental performance will require public investment in
research and development of technologies and institutions.
Knowledge Gaps
1. Increased scientific understanding of agricultureenvironment
interactions, and linkages between biophysical
and economic models, are needed to better measure and
monitor the environmental performance of agricultural
practices at appropriate scales at regional, local or watershed
level, with a focus on adoption by different sizes and types of
farms. These models could then be used to evaluate policy
options relative to the environment and economic
competitiveness at the farm, regional and national levels.
They would also help raise awareness of the environmental
benefits provided ecosystems and inform private and public
decision making about the environmental issues related to
animal agriculture.
2. Information is needed on the potential implications to
human health of pathogen activity and air emissions from
livestock and poultry production and manure storage,
handling, treatment, utilization and application. It should
focus on innovative solutions to address emerging issues.
This research could lead to on-farm BMPs to reduce
environmental impact.
3. Better understanding is needed of North American
environmental problems, boundary issues, physical
interconnections (Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes) and public
policies related to animal agriculture. This includes issues of
water quantity, as well as quality and knowledge on the
effects of farm practices on GHG emissions from animal
agriculture. What are the implications of environmental
issues for small, mid-size and large animal operations and
across Mexico, Canada and the United States? Are proposed
solutions equitable, or should they be? How should the
stringency of environmental laws or the effectiveness of
public policies be measured? Better information is needed on
implementation of policies and regulations.