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Environmental and Public Health Damages Associated With CAFOs in Kentucky Like the coal strip mining industry that preceded it, the poultry industry is wreaking havoc with Kentucky's environment and generally making life miserable for many Kentucky residents. Large corporations such as Tyson, Perdue and Cagles have built slaughterhouses throughout the state that process millions of chickens each year. To supply these animal factories, the corporations contract with growers who raise chickens in large barracks known as "concentrated animal feeding operations" or CAFOs. In the past five years, hundreds of CAFOs have sprouted up throughout rural Kentucky and many more are on the way. These CAFOs generate enormous quantities of manure, which pollute Kentucky streams, lakes and groundwater. The manure, often commingled with carcasses and feathers, is frequently overapplied and misapplied to crop fields, causing runoff to surrounding waterways. Poultry CAFOs also emit horrendous odors and attract large numbers of flies, rats and other vermin. Since Kentucky has little in the way of zoning regulation, many CAFOs are located within a few hundred feet of homes, schools and churches. While the corporations supply the chicks and feed and generally oversee the operation of the CAFOs, they take no responsibility for the environmental problems caused by poultry growing and manure spreading operations. Back to Tour de Stench Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use |
