Poultry Groups Join Ag Coalition in Appealing NFPA 150 Amendments
Tucker, GA, July 11, 2012 -
For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Gwen Venable, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association
(770) 493-9401 ext. 157, gvenable@uspoultry.org
Tom Super, National Chicken Council
(202) 296-2622 ext. 119, tsuper@chickenusa.org
Sherrie Rosenblatt, National Turkey Federation
(202) 898-0100 ext. 7227, srosenblatt@turkeyfed.org
Chad Gregory, United Egg Producers
(770) 360-9220, chaduep@unitedegg.com
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and United Egg Producers joined a coalition of animal agriculture industry groups in appealing the June 14, 2012 decision of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to amend its 150 Standard for Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities. The existing standard requires automatic fire sprinkler and smoke control systems for housing facilities containing Category A animals – those animals that pose a potential risk to the health or safety of rescuers or the general public, such as dangerous zoo animals. The NFPA amendment would require the installation of sprinkler and smoke control systems in animal housing facilities for Category B animals – defined as all animals not included in Category A - which would expand the standard to include poultry barns.
In a move that the coalition members believe failed to meet applicable due process standards and did not consider the biosecurity or the financial impact of the decision, NFPA’s full Technical Committee adopted a floor motion to amend the NFPA 150 standard. The floor motion vote was approved despite an opposing position taken by the Technical Committee on Animal Housing Facilities, the group charged with evaluating the proposed amendment. The decision expands the requirement for sprinkler and smoke control systems in animal housing facilities from just those holding Category A animals, to also include facilities housing Category B animals. This substantial expansion therefore covers far more animal housing facilities than had been previously covered, expanding NFPA 150 to cover nearly every single livestock farm in the United States.
NFPA standards typically do not have the full effect of law but are often adopted in local and state building codes and by insurance companies and may become requirements to receive occupancy permits or purchase insurance.
A copy of the appeal letter may be found here.
Organizations participating in the appeal include:
US Poultry and Egg Association
National Chicken Council
National Turkey Federation
United Egg Producers
National Pork Producers Council
American Farm Bureau Federation
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
National Milk Producers Federation
Dairy Farmers of America
Dairylea Cooperative
Upstate Niagara Cooperative
Select Milk Producers
Agri-Mark Inc.
St. Albans Cooperative Creamery
Northeast Dairy Farmers Cooperatives
Idaho Dairymen's Association
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About U.S. Poultry and Egg Association
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is an all-feather organization representing the complete spectrum of today’s poultry industry, with a focus on progressively serving member companies through research, education, communication, and technical assistance. Founded in 1947, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is based in Tucker, GA.
About the National Chicken Council
The National Chicken Council represents integrated chicken producer-processors, the companies that produce and process chickens. Member companies of NCC account for more than 95 percent of the chicken sold in the United States.
About the National Turkey Federation
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) is the national advocate for all segments of the $14 billion turkey industry, providing services and conducting activities that increase demand for its members' products by protecting and enhancing their ability to profitably provide wholesome, high-quality, nutritious products.
About United Egg Producers
United Egg Producers (UEP) is a Capper-Volstead cooperative of egg farmers from all across the United States, representing the ownership of approximately 90% of all the nation's egg-laying hens.