Most widely used abbreviations in environmental policy come from the federal law. I have been told that the term Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) comes from the Clean Water Act. I have seen this term in guidance documents issued by EPA. The one I have right now is EPA 305-F-99-006.

The C stands for Concentrated. There are operations which have animals contained and don't fit the definition of CAFO. The best example is cattle feedlots. They are called AFO's. This fact is more an indication of the political strength of that particular industry then their impact on the environment.  CAFO's have to get federal clean water discharge permits called NPDES permits. AFO's do not. Also, if you are a CAFO and don't discharge your waste ( as in have a lagoon or a pit and then land apply) you don't have get a permit either. That is why we need strong state laws; most of the animal factories find a way to be exempt from the federal law. I did not mean to go on and on but I just wanted everyone to know that even though there is a law it does not apply to most operations.

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