PUBLIC FORUM on TUESDAY: Whether You Know It or Not,

CAFOs Are Coming to Berks County

Plan for multiple industrial animal operations in Mohrsville, PA uncovered; Hundreds of thousands of birds a threat to public health, local water & air quality, property values; National expert panel comes to Centre Township
 
WHAT: New local citizens group Berks County Friends of Family Farms hosts national public health, scientific, legal and community outreach experts for a public education meeting on the threats and impacts of the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) planned for Berks County
 
WHEN: Tuesday, December 8, 2015 — 7:00-9:30 p.m. ET WHERE: Salem Belleman’s Church – Social Hall, 3540 Belleman’s Church Rd., Mohrsville, PA 19541

WHO: Event speakers are: Dr. Todd Hurd Professor of Biology, Shippensburg University;  Claire Fitch Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School Of Public Health, Center for a Livable Future; Maria Payan Socially Responsible Agricultural Project (SRAP); Michele Merkel Food & Water Watch; Blake Tobias Berks County Friends of Family Farms

When Galen Boyd started spreading sewage sludge to his snow-covered Mohrsville property last winter, it was the start of industrial agricultural actions that are now threatening Berks County. Boyd is seeking approval to operate a full 4 barn, 150,000 bird poultry CAFO less than 1/2 mile from Salem Belleman’s Church, a regional treasure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a risky plan for the community with the potential to damage well water, air quality, public health and property values — a harsh reality for a county that already possesses the 6th most contaminated water supply in the state.

But it doesn’t stop there. New research has revealed that not one, but three CAFOs are now being slated for Berks County. A second large poultry operation and a 40,000 duck operation have been proposed. The duck operation will be owned by Lee Schlappich, vice-chairman of the Centre Township Board of Supervisors, and will back directly up against neighboring properties along Main Street.

Public notice has been scarce and the process has been secretive. Berks County Friends of Family Farms (BCFFF) welcomes a distinguished national panel to breakdown the secrecy and provide information and expertise for challenging the CAFO operators and local decision-makers to preserve the health and welfare of every Berks County citizen.

Media contacts: Blake Tobias, BCFFF Maria Payan, SRAP 610-823-0210 | tobiasized@aol.com 717-826-7286| mariap@sraproject.org