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EPA links severe environmental risk to swine, poultry farming -puts three farmers on notice
Swine rearing is a growing concern in some communities
The rearing of swine and poultry has been posing an environmental threat to some communities and some residents have not been taking this development lightly. In fact, some have brought their concerns in this regard to the attention of the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA].
The result was the EPA, on Thursday, December 24th, 2018, moving to conduct three enforcement operations on the East Coast of Demerara.
The Agency carried out the visits after serving Prohibition Notices to these facilities in November 2018. The notices were served to Mr. Kishan Dos Santos of 60 Voorzigtigheid, Mahaica; Mr. David Sital of Lot 5, Centre View, Lusignan, East Coast Demerara and Mr. Prem Balmacoon, 198 Phase 1, Good Hope, East Coast Demerara.
The EPA in a statement issued yesterday said that even before the notices were served, the Agency carried out a number of inspections in response to complaints made by residents in the communities.
“In all three cases, residents complained of odour nuisance caused by the improper disposal of waste generated. The Agency’s inspections revealed, the swine and poultry rearing operations at these facilities posed a severe risk to public health and the environment,” the EPA announced yesterday.
In accordance with the Environmental Protection Act, Chapter 20:05, Laws of Guyana Section 27 [1] [b] – “where it appears to the Agency that any activity in any area is such as to pose risk of serious pollution of the environment or any damage to public health, the Agency shall serve on the person responsible for the activity, a prohibition notice.”
As a result of this, no operation or business is above the law and therefore should seek the Agency’s advice on compliance and best practices.
Furthermore, the Agency said it will continue to monitor the three operations and other such facilities to ensure the owners are taking steps towards safe environmental practices.
According to the EPA, since its officers visited the defaulting operations and the state of affairs was highlighted by sections of the media, “one operator has taken control of his operation by removing the chickens from his residence; while another came into the Agency to seek the guidance on implementing compliance measures.”
As a regulatory body, the EPA said that it is stepping up its role to ensure that polluters are adhering to the country’s environmental laws.
According to the EPA, its aim is not to hinder businesses from operating, but to ensure that they are not operating at the cost of risking environmental and human health.
“There are environmental guidelines for swine and poultry operations and the Agency encourages persons who are rearing animals or setting up businesses to seek guidance before starting their operations,” said the EPA in its statement. It went on to add that “…the Agency will continue to carry out visits throughout the country to ensure that persons are complying with safe environmental practices.”
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