Board discusses confined livestock facilities ordinance [Video]

The Amherst County Board of Supervisors soon will hold a public hearing on an ordinance to update setback requirements and other regulations related to confined livestock facilities.

Tyler Creasy, director of community development, said the ordinance is for any livestock such as cows, chickens and turkeys, among other animals.

The proposed ordinance, which went for a first read before the board on Aug. 6, states confined livestock facilities shall prepare and follow a nutrient management plan for responsible and environmentally safe management of all animal wastes, which must be approved by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and any other required agencies. Another added measure in the proposed ordinance is disposal of dead animals shall be handled in an approved manner as specified by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Animal Health and the state veterinarian, Creasy said.

The Amherst County Agriculture Committee, which advises the …