Last week the Agricultural Protection and Prosperity Act of 2007 was introduced in both the House and Senate to clarify that livestock manure is not classified as a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant under Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).

CERCLA, commonly known as Superfund governs the liability and clean up of the most hazardous waste sites in the country. The legislation addresses the issues defining livestock manure as a hazardous material impacting both livestock operations and those that spread manure.

Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Pete Domenici (R-NM) introduced the bill in the Senate with 7 cosponsors and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX), along with 61 cosponsors introduced the bill in the House.