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99 Iowa L. Rev. 415 (2013-2014)
Won't You Be My Neighbor: Living with Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

handle is hein.journals/ilr99 and id is 425 raw text is: 








       Won't You Be My Neighbor?

    Living with Concentrated Animal

                Feeding Operations

                           Emily A. Kolbe


ABSTRACT: Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are
prevalent throughout the nation and represent a serious and increasing
problem for the United States. Proponents of CAFOs   argue that such
operations are necessary to meet this country's demand for low-cost, readily
available meat. Opponents point to the ever-increasing risks that CAFOs
pose to humans,  animals, and  the environment. CAFOs  in Iowa  have
operated under the minimum  level of federally required regulations for a
number  of years. The negative effects of this lack of regulation are starting to
take a toll on Iowans. Emerging public health concerns such as air quality
and  antibiotic resistance, individual health problems, animal welfare
concerns, and  the  basic right to enjoy one's property are becoming
controversial issues and demand   increased attention from the state's
government, courts, and citizens. This Note argues that Iowans should look
to a variety of mechanisms to address these issues, including judicial action,
increased legislation, and grassroots organizing efforts to ensure that Iowa
remains not only an agricultural force in the United States, but also a safe
and healthy environment for its present and future citizens.


415


    *   J.D. Candidate, The University of Iowa College of Law, 2014; B.A., Grinnell College,
2007. I would like to thank the editors of Volumes 98 and 99 of the Iowa Law Review for their
work on this Note. I would also like to thank my family for their unwavering support and
encouragement.