PEORIA, Ill. — Questions about new or impending government regulations regarding hog farms were a hot issue during the recent 2012 Illinois Pork Expo at the Peoria Civic Center.

Jim Kaitschuk, executive director of the Illinois Pork Producers Assoc. (IPPA), addressed producers’ concerns during a producer seminar on Jan. 31, advising attendees to have their paperwork in order, maintain a well-organized operation and be prepared to cooperate fully with representatives of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during an inspection of their premises.

“The biggest thing is to make sure your record-keeping is well organized and well maintained, along with your operation. (The EPA) could come on your farm at any point in time,” he said.

Producers attending the seminar questioned Kaitschuk not only about what to expect from EPA investigators during an inspection, but also what their individual rights included during the visit. First, accredited EPA investigators must properly identify themselves before accessing a producer’s operation, according to Kaitschuk.

‘If they provide proof of ID, they do have the right to be on your farm,” he said. “Another question producers had was, how much (prior) notice (from EPA) were they going to get before an inspection? Generally speaking, on normal inspections you’re likely to get at least 24 hours’ notice. If it is an emergency situation where they believe a discharge has occurred, they may act immediately.”

Tips from neighbors or others to the EPA could also trigger unannounced inspections under certain circumstances, Kaitschuk said. He urged pork producers to cooperate with EPA inspectors visiting their operations.

“If an inspector asks questions, you should do your best to provide the answers they need to address the question. If you have a well-run operation that appears well-run, chances are things will go well for you,” said Kaitschuk.

To access a podcast of his remarks and view the PowerPoint presentation used in his seminar during the 2012 Illinois Pork Expo, visit the IPPA’s website at www.ilpork.com

Kaitschuk also recommends pork producers use the University of Illinois extension’s Manure Management Planner at www.immp.uiuc.edu and its EZRegs webpage at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ezregs “for a snapshot of what your requirements and responsibilities are.”