Clay County Health Board recommends moratorium on livestock operations

Officials in yet another Iowa county hope to stall construction of large-scale livestock confinements. The Clay County Board of Health is unanimously recommending the county’s Board of Supervisors impose a one-year moratorium on new construction of livestock facilities. A recent University of Iowa/Iowa State University study raised questions about whether concentrated animal feeding operations are detrimental to the health of workers and neighbors. A Clay County Board of Health member says current Iowa law is insufficient in protecting Iowans from the health effects of super-sized livestock operations. The Clay County Board of Supervisors will discuss the proposed moratorium next Tuesday morning.