Increasing interest in manure management at the federal level is leading to increased regulation.  Currently out for comment, the Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations  (AFO) has been developed by the Federal EPA and USDA under the Clean Water Act.  The Strategy’s focus is to protect water resources by requiring Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans for livestock operations above a specified number of animal units (not yet determined). Regulations to monitor Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) on a watershed basis are also being developed.  In addition, the Federal EPA’s focus on food safety as a top priority will impact manure management due to possible contamination from manure pathogens.  Composting of animal manure may play a role in all of these regulations as it has the potential to stabilize nutrients and destroy pathogens.  However, composting faces problems from perceptions by composters and regulators as to what feedstocks are acceptable.