CHEEC > Outreach > Conferences > Impacts of Large Scale Swine

Understanding the Impacts of Large Scale Swine Production: An Interdisciplinary Workshop

June 29-30, 1995
Des Moines, Iowa

Conference proceedings are available at http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/icash/publications/index.asp

Abstract: Recent changes in Iowa's livestock industry, particularly in pork production, have resulted in a number of emerging issues involving rural environmental health, worker health and the sustainability of an industry which is vital for Iowa's environmental, social and economic well-being. In response to these issues a scientific workshop was held in Des Moines on June 29-30, 1995. Understanding the Impacts of Large Scale Swine Production: An Interdisciplinary Scientific Workshop was organized by Iowa Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (I-CASH) at The University of Iowa and the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development at Iowa State University, with support from the UI Environmental Health Science Research Center, CHEEC, and the Farm Foundation. Thirty-five leading scientists from the United States, Canada and Australia met to respond to questions posed by farmers and rural residents at a national meeting held in Kansas City in the fall of 1994, as well as questions compiled from a survey of pork producers conducted by a National Pork Producers Council Task Force on worker health. Public concerns addressed during the workshop included air quality, water quality, occupational health of workers, community social health and economic development. Prior to the workshop, each participant was asked to prepare a scientifically-based response in their area of expertise. During the workshop, these responses were integrated into group-authored documents in each area.