Washington, D.C. - Congressman David Price (D-NC) today applauded the North Carolina House of Representatives for significant action to convert hog waste lagoons in the state to more environmentally friendly waste systems. Meanwhile in Washington, the House Appropriations Committee approved Price's request for $445,500 in federal funding to support the waste conversion program envisioned by the General Assembly.

Price's provision in the annual agriculture funding bill would allocate $445,500 to provide technical assistance to hog producers participating in the waste technology conversion program envisioned in the General Assembly's bill. The money would be jointly administered by the NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation and the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (located within the Department of Agriculture).

"North Carolina is the number two pork producer in the country," Price said. "It's an industry that is critically important to our state. But we need to take advantage of new waste disposal technologies that are more effective and environmentally friendly than waste lagoons. Today's actions in the General Assembly and the U.S. House will help bring pork production into the 21st century. And I am happy to work to bring in the federal Department of Agriculture as a partner in this effort."

The House Appropriations Committee approved the funding bill by a voice vote today, and it is expected to be considered on the House floor later this month.

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