New Dairy Organization Aims To Deliver Regulatory Relief
US - Environmental expertise for dairy producers who are members of Western United Dairymen will come via the new Western United Environmental Services. This fee-for-service organization will provide assistance to dairy producers as they comply with the new Waste Discharge Requirements.
21 August 2007
1 minute read
| Members of Western United Dairymen will have help from a new fee-for-service program to respond to environmental regulations. |
"We believe this new organization will effectively leverage the reputation that WUD has built over the years as the leader on environmental issues," said WUD President Ray Souza. "We are very concerned about the costs our members are facing in complying with environmental regulations. This fee for service approach will provide our members with the expertise they need at a reasonable cost."
California dairy producers are facing another environmental requirement that is estimated to cost $45.000 to $65,000 per dairy to comply, and annual compliance costs that could run $35,000 to $45,000.
Michael Marsh, WUD chief executive officer, said the newly enacted discharge requirements provided the impetus for the new organization. Marsh said the costs, estimated by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control board staff, are another burden on operators and are equal to the salary of one skilled employee per dairy.
"We hope that by pooling resources we can offer a high level of expertise and help contain costs for members," Marsh said.
