Enviro group, Md. farmers petition 'Big Chicken'

BALTIMORE

Environment Maryland is urging the governor to help level the playing field for environmentally responsible farmers.

The environmental group released a petition Thursday signed by 55 farmers, including many organic producers and those who supply increasingly popular farmer's markets.

The petition says large poultry producers should be held responsible for pollution caused by their feeding operations to level the playing field for those already using more sustainable practices.

Fertilizer and manure runoff is a key pollution source in the Chesapeake Bay. Increasing regulation of large animal feeding operations is one of the components of the federal Environmental Protection Agency's new bay restoration strategy.