HARRISBURG – Sen. Greg Rothman (R-34) announced that with the passage of Senate Bill 146, Food Processing Residuals (FPRs) will finally be regulated in Pennsylvania, putting an end to practices that are harmful to human health and the environment.
When used properly, FPRs can be part of a normal farming operation. When applied improperly, the dangers and negative impacts of FPRs far outweigh any farming benefit.
“FPRs do not just emit a foul smell, they can be toxic and their misuse has impacted our communities and quality of life for far too long,” Rothman said. “The commonsense reforms delivered in the new law will protect our residents, our health and the environment.”
The measure requires FPRs to be regulated and will hold bad actors accountable through fines, suspensions and revocation of permits. Future regulations will be focused on protecting soil, air and water quality by enabling the State Conservation Commission, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Environmental Protection to coordinate rules that protect our residents.
The new law will also require FPR haulers/brokers to be certified through a Department of Agriculture training program and maintain records of the storage, transfer and transport of FPRs.
“I want to thank everyone involved in getting this desperately needed legislation across the finish line after years of careful review and hard work,” Rothman said. “This was a bipartisan effort in the House and Senate that was about improving the quality of life for residents across Pennsylvania.
“For years, residents have voiced concerns about the land application of Food Processing Residuals and the potential impacts on our community,” said Dickinson Township Supervisor Jen DeGaetano. “The passage of this legislation reflects a commitment to listening to those concerns and taking meaningful action. It strengthens oversight, improves accountability, and helps protect the groundwater, private wells, and natural resources that so many Pennsylvania families depend on every day.”
The framework from Sen. Rothman’s Senate Bill 763 and Rep. Paul Friel’s (D-Chester) House Bills 586 and 587 was included in Senate Bill 146, which passed the House and Senate. The measure is headed to the governor’s desk for signature.