Legislation calling for a state moratorium on construction of Confined Animal Feeding Operations until water quality is significantly approved has been introduced in both Houses of the Iowa Legislature this week. So far 15 bills have been introduced tightening oversight that are backed by the Iowa Citizen’s for Community Improvement. Organizer Jess Mazour says if approved it would ban the building or expansion of any ag operations with 300 or more animal units.

She says the ag industry is getting increasingly concerned about the possibility of a CAFO moratorium being approved.

Mazour says opposition to large livestock operations is being seen in areas of the state that have already approved projects.

She says they expect several pieces of legislation to be introduced this session dealing with water quality and environmental issues.