The New York Farm Bureau will oppose the land application of contaminated sewage sludge and encourage testing prior to spreading, a change from their supportive position last year, the organization announced Friday.<\/p>\n
The lobby group recently held\u00a0its\u00a0annual convention, which\u00a0included\u00a0representatives from county farm bureaus across the state. Part of the convention is spent voting on policy positions for the upcoming year. Sewage sludge<\/a> is the end of the wastewater treatment process that can then be applied to farmland as a cheaper form of fertilizer.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOpposition of the land application of biosolids that have detectable amounts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and\/or elevated levels of heavy metals,\u201d was highlighted in a press release as a policy resolution for 2026.<\/p>\n The New York Farm Bureau said it supports testing of sewage sludge or composted sludge including biosolids, paper mill waste or dredging soils by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to make sure they do not contain any heavy metals, PFAS and any other toxic substances prior to land application for agriculture.\u00a0<\/p>\n Currently, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation requires those with land application permits to submit an annual report with test results, and they are allowed to spread biosolids with PFOA and PFOS under 50 parts per billion. These two types of PFAS chemicals are linked to human health issues, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/a> The testing does look for heavy metals.<\/p>\n The Farm Bureau\u2019s current policy book does not mention PFAS in connection with biosolids but does say the group condemns the actions taken by local municipalities against the use of sewage sludge on farmland. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe support the education of both farmers and the public on the benefits and concerns of using biosolids as a source of fertilizer, and using information provided by the New York State Department[s] of Agriculture and\u00a0Markets\u00a0and Environmental Conservation. These agencies are the appropriate regulators for the use of this product, and municipal prohibitions restricting the use of biosolids should not be allowed,\u201d the organization\u2019s 2025 policy book reads<\/a>.<\/p>\n State legislators proposed<\/a> a bill last year that would put a five-year moratorium on the use of biosolids. It passed the state Senate but did not make it<\/a> through the Assembly before the end of session. However, it will be re-debated in the upcoming session in January.\u00a0<\/p>\n