Wikipedia

Draft:Measure J (Sonoma County, 2024)

Proposed ban on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations: Measure J (Sonoma County, California, 2024)

Measure J is a proposition that appeared on the ballot in Sonoma County, California, in the November 2024 election.[1] It is the first measure to appear on a ballot of a county in the United States where if passed, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) would be banned.[2][3]

Background

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Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are agricultural facilities that confine a large number of animals, such as cows, pigs, and chickens, in one area.[4][5] CAFOs have been linked to environmental, public health, and animal welfare concerns, including:

Provisions

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Measure J would amend the Sonoma County Code to:

  • Define CAFOs as Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) that confine a large number of animals. The number of animals varies by species.[15]
  • Prohibit new CAFOs from opening within the county.[16]
  • Have CAFOs either downsize to below certain thresholds of animals or cease operation.[17]
  • Exempt smaller farms and ranches, unless the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designates a specific facility as a major polluter.[18]

Support and Opposition

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Supporters

Supporters of Measure J argue that:

  • CAFOs harm the environment and public health.[19]
  • Measure J would protect Sonoma County's small farms.[20][21]
  • The measure would help animals and prevent many of them from being born into agricultural facilities.[22]


Opponents

Opponents claim:

  • Measure J would harm the local agricultural economy.[23]
  • It would lead to food scarcity and increased prices.[24]
  • Existing regulations are sufficient to address environmental concerns.[25]


References:

  1. ^ "Voters in Northern California county to vote on whether to allow large-scale farms". AP News. 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  2. ^ Choi, Kenny (2024-09-26). "Sonoma County farmers pushing back against factory-farm ballot measure - CBS San Francisco". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  3. ^ Lee, Greg (2024-10-07). "Sonoma County voters to decide on Measure J — future of large-scale farms". KTVU FOX 2. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  4. ^ "PART 122—EPA ADMINISTERED PERMIT PROGRAMS: THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM" (PDF). US Environmental Protection Agency, The Clean Water Act. 30 September 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  5. ^ Lagos, Marisa; Marzorati, Guy (2024-09-27). "The Sonoma Ballot Measure That Could Change the Farm Industry | KQED". www.kqed.org. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  6. ^ Greger, Michael; Koneswaran, Gowri (January–March 2010). "The Public Health Impacts of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations on Local Communities". Family & Community Health. 33 (1): 11–20. doi:10.1097/FCH.0b013e3181c4e22a. ISSN 0160-6379. PMID 20010001.
  7. ^ "Feeding 9 Billion - National Geographic". Feeding 9 Billion - National Geographic. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  8. ^ Mitloehner, Frank M.; Schenker, Marc B. (May 2007). "Environmental Exposure and Health Effects From Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations". Epidemiology. 18 (3): 309–311. doi:10.1097/01.ede.0000260490.46197.e0. ISSN 1044-3983. PMID 17435438.
  9. ^ Walton, Lindsay (May 2020). "REGULATING CAFOS FOR THE WELL-BEING OF FARM ANIMALS, CONSUMERS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT" (PDF). Environmental Law Reporter.
  10. ^ Kolbe, Emily A. (2013–2014). "Won't You Be My Neighbor: Living with Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations". Iowa Law Review. 99: 415.
  11. ^ Verheul, John (2011). "Methane as a Greenhouse Gas: Why the EPA Should Regulate Emissions from Animal Feeding Operations and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Under the Clean Air Act". Natural Resources Journal. 51 (1): 163–187. ISSN 0028-0739. JSTOR 24889698.
  12. ^ "Feeding 9 Billion - National Geographic". Feeding 9 Billion - National Geographic. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  13. ^ Prisco, Andrea (2021–2022). "The Rise of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, Their Effects, and How We Can Stop Their Growth". PennState Law Review. 126: 883.
  14. ^ Cockshaw, Rory (2021-09-16). "The End of Factory Farming: Alternatives to Improve Sustainability, Safety, and Health". Voices in Bioethics. 7. doi:10.52214/vib.v7i.8696. ISSN 2691-4875.
  15. ^ "Prohibition on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations" (PDF). Sonoma County. 30 September 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Voters in Northern California county to vote on whether to allow large-scale farms". AP News. 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  17. ^ "Voters in Northern California county to vote on whether to allow large-scale farms". AP News. 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  18. ^ "Voters in Northern California county to vote on whether to allow large-scale farms". AP News. 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  19. ^ HAY, JEREMY (2024-09-19). "Measure J supporters, opponents stake out positions in charged debate". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  20. ^ IRWIN, HEATHER (2024-09-18). "'Factory farm' ban Measure J faces sharp and wide opposition from local restaurants". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  21. ^ Daley, Haven (30 September 2024). "Voters in Northern California county to vote on whether to allow large-scale farms". ABC News. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  22. ^ Bechky, Aviva (30 August 2024). "Sonoma loves its farms. Activists call them factories. Could a ballot measure upend this county?".
  23. ^ HAY, JEREMY (2024-09-19). "Measure J supporters, opponents stake out positions in charged debate". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  24. ^ "Groups seek to ban large-scale animal farming in Sonoma County". Los Angeles Times. 2024-04-04. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  25. ^ "Voters in Northern California county to vote on whether to allow large-scale farms". AP News. 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
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