HARRISBURG, PA — In a decisive move to enhance environmental protection and community health, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives this week passed two critical bills aimed at overhauling the management of food-processing residuals (FPR) within the state. The legislative effort, spearheaded by State Representative Paul Friel, received broad bipartisan support and seeks to establish stringent guidelines on the handling and application of these byproducts from commercial food processing.
Food-processing residuals, commonly termed FPR, encompass a range of materials, including vegetable peelings, raw meat scraps, and various liquid byproducts often laden with blood, fat, hair, feathers, and other animal and vegetable derivatives. While FPR can be repurposed as soil fertilizer, improper disposal and handling have led to significant environmental issues, such as groundwater contamination and persistent malodors in affected communities. Moreover, Pennsylvania has increasingly become a repository for FPR, as neighboring states have implemented strict regulations or outright bans on their use.
House Bill 2393 introduces a comprehensive framework that mandates the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and the State Conservation Commission, to update existing guidance on FPR storage and application. This bill also mandates the establishment of a land application system, detailing precise protocols on how, when, and in what quantities FPR can be safely applied to land.
Complementing this initiative, House Bill 2594 sets forth a certification program for FPR haulers and brokers. This program, under the oversight of the DEP and in collaboration with the State Conservation Commission and the Department of Agriculture, requires these entities to obtain a certification valid for three years, with renewal contingent upon the completion of continuing education credits.
Rep. Friel remarked on the bipartisan effort involved in crafting these bills: “These two bills, representing a lasting legislative solution, are the result of bipartisan collaboration and the expert input from the departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, local community members, farmers, conservation specialists, and industry leaders.” He emphasized the necessity of responsible FPR management to sustain the food supply chain, enhance soil health, and safeguard groundwater quality, thereby mitigating nuisances that have long plagued Pennsylvania communities.
Prior to the passage of these bills, Pennsylvania lacked a centralized system for tracking FPR use, as well as standardized testing and complaint mechanisms for addressing related issues. The current legislation aims to rectify these deficiencies by modernizing the state’s FPR manual, which had not been updated since 1994, to reflect contemporary environmental and community health standards.
The passage of these bills marks a significant step forward in Pennsylvania’s environmental policy, promising to deliver more sustainable practices in food production and processing, while also protecting public health and enhancing the quality of life for residents across the state.
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