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CONNECTICUT
Livestock and Poultry Issues
Bruce A. Sherman, DVM, MPH
Director, Bureau of Regulation and Inspection
Definition of Agriculture
C.G.S. §1-1(q)
The words "agriculture" and "farming" shall
include….. the raising, shearing, feeding,
caring for, training and management of
livestock, including horses, bees, poultry,
fur-bearing animals and wildlife.
Definition of Livestock and Poultry

C.G.S. §22-278 “Livestock" is defined as
any camelid or hooved animal raised for
domestic or commercial use.

C.G.S. §22-324 “Poultry" means all
domesticated fowl, including chickens,
turkeys, water fowl and pet, zoological or
psittacine birds.
Animal Density
Minimum Acreage Requirements
 State
statutes and regulations do not set
minimum acreage requirements for any
species of livestock or poultry.
 Livestock
and poultry management
practices have a greater impact on animal
care and environmental factors than do
minimum acreage requirements.
Animal Density
Minimum Acreage Requirements

Restrictions on the number of animals kept per
acre does not necessarily result in better
management practices.

If municipalities insist on implementation of
minimum acreage requirements, such
restrictions should be reasonable and adaptable
to differing types of livestock and poultry
operations and be site-dependent.
Animal Density
Minimum Acreage Requirements
Increased interest in “local” and “produce your
own” food sources has lead to a continuing
growth in “backyard” or “hobby” animal food
production – especially poultry and egg
production.
 Youth educational projects such as those
supervised through 4-H and Vo-Ag often involve
a single or at best a few animals.
 Minimum acreage requirements, if too restrictive,
discourage such endeavors.

Right to Farm Law
Public Health Statute C.G.S. §19a-341
Agricultural or farming operation
not deemed a nuisance
 DPH statute
 Odor, noise and dust
 Must meet “generally accepted” agricutural
practices as determined by the
Commissioner of Agriculture
Right to Farm Law
Public Health Statute C.G.S. §19a-341
 Use
of chemicals and certain exemptions
from water pollution – approval from
Commissioner of D.E.P.
 Farming operation must be in operation for
1 year or more and has not been
substantially changed.
Terminology
Re: Management Practices
“Best” Management Practices vs. “Generally Accepted”
Management Practices.
 Agricultural guidelines for producers use the term “best”
management practices.
 From a regulatory or enforcement perspective, the term
“best” sets the bar too high when used in regulations and
ordinances.
 Who or what governmental entity makes the
determination if an agricultural operation is in compliance
with the standards set for livestock and poultry
management practices?

Other Issues
Manure Management

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On-Farm
Stockpiled
Synergy – poultry/crop production
Regulatory – agency cooperation
Set-Back Restrictions
Commercial vs. Non-Commercial Farms