Anti-agricultural activists are stepping up their attack in Iowa and across the country on Confined Animal Feeding Operations. Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement along with Food and Water Action presented petitions to presidential candidates in support of a moratorium on development of new CAFOs. Iowa Cattlemen’s Association CEO Matt Deppe says the legislation sponsored by Senator Cory Booker would harm agriculture if it passed. He says CAFO operators are environmentally responsible.

He says while ICA members and other ag groups have reasonable discussions over various issues, the activist community takes a much different approach.

Deppe says ICA and ag groups seek solutions in a thoughtful way rather than pushing for litigation or strict legislation.

Deppe says attempting to stop development of CAFOs is nothing more than an attack on free enterprise.