Panel Discussion of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

Tuesday, Mar. 8, 2005 @  7:30
Langone Center Forum

Moderated by Gary Sojka, Ph.D.
Bucknell University

The U.S. is experiencing an increase in the number of large-scale or concentrated animal feeding operations, including large chicken, hog and dairy operations, with Pennsylvania being no exception. Proponents of this trend maintain that the development of CAFOs is a rational response to the market by capitalizing on economies of scale. However, the huge amounts of animal waste created in concentrated containment areas is a major contributor to water pollution causing contaminated drinking water, massive fish kills and large algae blooms throughout much of the United States. This panel of local farmers, legislators, and activists will explore the pros and cons  of CAFOs and the extent to which regulations can adequately meet the environmental challenges created by them. Dr. Gary Sojka will moderate the panel discussion. Dr. Sojka, past president of Bucknell University (1984-1995) and current Professor of Biology, is a microbiologist who studies the genomics of endangered livestock.

Dr. Sojka is also on the board of PennFuture, vice chairman of the Board of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, and a breeder of domestic sheep.