MaryPIRG is working to convince the Governor and the General Assembly to fully fund agricultural conservation practices that reduce runoff pollution going into the Chesapeake Bay. The state needs $100 million a year to implement adequate conservation practices. MaryPIRG has produced research and participated in dozens of public forums on the issue.

Every summer the bay is choked by excess nitrogen and phosphorous, causing a dead zone that includes more than a third of the bay. Agricultural runoff is a leading cause of this pollution, especially from the poultry farms that raise 300 million chickens every year. Many farmers would be willing to implement management practices to reduce their pollution, but can’t afford them without outside funding. The chicken processing companies do not pay farmers enough to manage the waste properly.

Lawmakers are reluctant to assess fees on Tyson, Perdue and other giant poultry processors, but funding sources are scarce elsewhere.

“The processing companies need to give Maryland farmers a fair deal and provide the resources to manage waste responsibly,” said Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, MaryPIRG staff attorney.