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Federal programs for livestock are not comparable to
those for crops. Federal legislation provides assistance
for livestock and poultry farmers with emergency feed
programs, drought assistance, and conservation and environmental
programs. Other programs for livestock operations include
the Environmental
Quality Incentives Program, which provides technical,
educational, and financial assistance to eligible farmers
and ranchers to address soil, water, and related natural
resource concerns on their lands in an environmentally
beneficial and cost-effective manner.
The Environmental
Protection Agency provides information about national
environmental requirements specifically relating to the
production of agricultural animals, including fish and
other aquatic animals. Feedlot operations are specifically
addressed under the Concentrated
Animal Feeding Operation regulations. In addition,
many States and localities have regulations on size of
confined animal operations, odor, waste disposal, and
water quality as they relate to agriculture.
Agricultural policy extends to trade, and agriculture
is one of the topic areas in the
World Trade Organization
that has been opened to negotiations.
In addition to market forces, sanitary and phytosanitary
regulations, tariffs, quotas, and other policies affect
the trade of animals and animal products.
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