Chapter 02 · Nature, land & waterWater, Waste & Pollution
Concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO)
Definition
A concentrated animal feeding operation is a US EPA regulatory designation for an animal feeding operation — where animals are confined and fed for 45 days or more in a 12-month period on land without sustained vegetation — that meets size thresholds (for large CAFOs, e.g. 1,000 cattle, 700 dairy cows, 2,500 hogs or 30,000 laying hens) or is designated a significant pollution contributor. CAFOs are regulated under the Clean Water Act's NPDES permitting programme.
References
AFO definition; NPDES regulation of CAFOs
size thresholds; water/air/soil impacts; methane share
Overview
What it means
The category recognises that concentrating thousands of animals concentrates manure, nutrients and emissions at pollution scale.
How it is used
CAFO permits govern manure management and discharge; the designation anchors debates on water contamination, air pollution, methane (US agriculture is the largest domestic methane source) and animal welfare.
Why it matters
CAFOs are a leading source of nutrient pollution and a major climate and community-health concern in intensive agriculture.