LETTER: Let’s impose a factory-farm moratorium in Oregon

Published 3:55 pm Monday, February 3, 2025

I urge my fellow Oregonians and legislators to support Senate Bill 80 and impose a moratorium on massive factory farms, also known as Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).

These commercial animal factories are terrible at managing animal waste, and they are contaminating our groundwater with high levels of nitrates, which are making people very sick.

Oregonians exposed to this nitrate-laden drinking water are experiencing increased levels of ovarian cancer, thyroid disease, kidney cancer, and bladder cancer.

Some have even died! Considering that these nitrates are mostly coming from the waste produced by CAFOs, the only sensible choice is to support SB80, which will put a moratorium on any new CAFO operations or expand existing ones in groundwater management areas, like out in northern Malheur County and the Lower Umatilla Basin.

These CAFOs also contribute to the climate crisis with mostly unregulated air pollution and groundwater use.

The people living in the groundwater management areas are primarily low-income people of color, and they are suffering the most.

These CAFO’s also threaten existing small farms with their massive operations. Plus, there is an ungodly amount of animal cruelty happening inside these operations, which goes against the morals and principles of most Oregonians.

Approving SB80 and imposing a moratorium on CAFOs will allow our leaders to evaluate CAFO waste management practices and recommend ways to go forward safely.

Every Oregonian deserves clean water to drink. So, let’s hit the pause button on CAFOs and approve SB80.

Alderin Ordell

Beaverton