Rules considered for poultry houses

Oklahoma’s board of agriculture is considering proposed setback and emergency regulations to address the recent increase in the number of large commercial poultry houses permitted for the northeast part of the state.

Within the last year, more than 200 poultry houses were approved for Oklahoma, state data show, with most attributed to Siloam Springs-based chicken producer Simmons Foods.

Opponents have expressed worries about possible water table contamination, road damage from trucks hauling chickens, noises and odors.

The proposed rules, published on the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry’s website, require new or expanding farms to be at least a quartermile from an occupied residence and a half-mile from a public school or incorporated city.