Hog producer fined as "habitual violator"

A large-scale hog operation has been declared an “habitual violator” of Iowa environmental laws for the illegal discharge of manure on three different occasions. DeCoster Farms has agreed to pay a 150-thousand dollar fine. It’s the highest-ever assessed an Iowa livestock operator. DeCoster has also agreed to immediately construct six concrete manure storage structures to handle manure at its operations in Wright, Hamilton, Kossuth and Lucas Counties. Attorney General Tom Miller negotiated the agreement with DeCoster, and Miller says there are distinct environmental advantages to concrete manure tanks. A case is still pending against Midwest Pork, a company owned by DeCoster’s son, Peter. DeCoster Farms did not respond to a request for an interview.