Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-006035",
  "term": "Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A lot or facility where: (1) animals have been, are, or will be stabled or confined and fed or maintained for a total of 45 days or more in a 12-month period; and (2) where crops, vegetation, forage growth, or post harvest residues are not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion of the lot or facility.\n\n2. Agricultural operations where animals are kept and raised in confined situations. AFOs generally congregate animals, feed, manure, dead animals and production operations on a small land area. Feed is brought to the animals rather than the animals grazing or otherwise seeking feed in pastures. Animal waste and wastewater can enter water bodies from spills or breaks of waste storage structures (due to accidents or excessive rain), and nonagricultural application of manure to crop land. An AFO is a lot or facility (other than an aquatic animal production facility) where the following conditions are met: 1.) Animals have been, are or will be stabled or confined and fed or maintained for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and 2.) Crops, vegetation, forage growth or post-harvest residues are not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion of the lot or facility. AFOs that meet the regulatory definition of a CAFO may be regulated under the NPDES permitting program. For additional information see Regulatory Definitions of Large CAFOs, Medium CAFOs, and Small CAFOs (PDF)",
  "abbreviation": "CAFOs",
  "subject": "General environmental",
  "references": [
    "Clean Water Act",
    "http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/sector_table.pdf"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/concentrated-animal-feeding-operations/"
}