People are upset because of the polluting farm in Yen Thanh district.

Polluting the environment

Recently, residents of Tan Yen A hamlet, Tien Thanh commune (Yen Thanh) have continuously complained that the livestock farm of Mr. Le Van Hung (living in the same hamlet) often emits foul odors and untreated wastewater flows into fields and ditches, causing environmental pollution.

Mr. Nguyen Van Kieu, whose elderly parents live next to this livestock farm, said: Mr. Hung's family farm was built about 10 years ago. Previously, it mainly raised chickens, but recently, it has raised pigs in large numbers, causing serious environmental pollution, especially water pollution, causing wastewater to seep into the ground and pollute groundwater...

According to our research, in response to local people's recommendations, on the afternoon of October 15, 2024, an interdisciplinary inspection team led by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Yen Thanh district conducted a field inspection at the livestock farm of Mr. Le Van Hung's family.

Through a specific inspection of the site, Mr. Le Van Hung's household has built 4 chicken coops since 2014 (each coop has an area of ​​160m2). The structure is a corrugated iron roof, the walls are made of a dashboard; the chicken coop is built on a mezzanine, B40 mesh, and the floor is cemented. In July 2024, Mr. Hung's household converted to a pig coop. Solid waste is pig manure collected separately, packaged, and sold to individuals raising earthworms. Pig urine and toilet water are collected, treated through a settling pit, biogas tank, and then discharged into the environment.

At the time of inspection, the farm had 47 pigs, 2,000 chickens, and 1,000 newly imported chickens. According to the farm owner, in early October 2024, the farm had an incident where wastewater from livestock farming flowed into Ms. Tran Thi Lien's garden, causing environmental pollution.

After the inspection, the interdisciplinary team requested Mr. Le Van Hung's family to move the pig herd out of the household's livestock area and residential area, no later than October 25, 2024.

Immediately after this inspection, on October 21, 2024, Tien Thanh Commune People's Committee issued Document No. 91/TB-UBND in response to citizens' petitions and reflections on the incident. Tien Thanh Commune People's Committee also informed that the locality had previously inspected the livestock environment of Mr. Le Van Hung's household and had drawn up a record of livestock environment inspection and a record of administrative violation handling on May 3, 2024 and October 4, 2024. After that, the Commune People's Committee issued decisions to fine livestock environment violations of VND 750,000 on May 14, 2024 and VND 1,000,000 on October 8, 2024.

Tien Thanh Commune People's Committee also requested Mr. Le Van Hung to fully comply with the provisions of the law on animal husbandry and veterinary medicine; move the pig herd out of the household's livestock area and residential area no later than October 25, 2024 as committed to the interdisciplinary inspection team. At the same time, continue to implement environmental protection measures in livestock farming, not allowing waste discharge to affect the environment and public health in residential areas.

Proposed definitive treatment

Although the People's Committee of Tien Thanh Commune has responded to the people's petitions in writing, according to Mr. Kieu, this response is not complete and does not clearly show the nature of the matter. Especially the issue related to wastewater, when Document No. 91 only lists the wastewater treatment process of Mr. Hung's household, but does not conclude whether the wastewater after treatment meets the standards for direct discharge into the environment or not. The inspection team also did not test the wastewater to get specific results but only evaluated it with the naked eye, while wastewater treatment has specific regulations.

"Not to mention, in Document No. 91, the explanation that the wastewater flowed into Ms. Tran Thi Lien's garden was due to an incident that occurred in early October is not true, as the area is now contaminated with a black, foul smell, proving that this incident has been going on for a very long time," Mr. Kieu emphasized.

After receiving the feedback on the inspection results in Document No. 91, dated October 30, 2024, Tien Thanh Commune People's Committee conducted an inspection and re-verification of the people's reflection. At the time of the inspection, Mr. Hung's farm still had 15 pregnant breeding sows; 3 litters of sows raising 24 7-day-old piglets; 23 weaned pigs 20 days old.

Tien Thanh Commune People's Committee also requested Mr. Hung's family to seriously fulfill previous commitments with the district and commune's interdisciplinary delegation; fully comply with regulations on animal husbandry and veterinary laws....

According to our investigation, we know that the land plot that Mr. Le Van Hung's family is using and building a livestock farm is plot number 159, map sheet number 21, Tien Thanh commune, with an area of ​​1,694m2.², including residential land and perennial crop land. Using flycam equipment, it is easy to see a fairly massive livestock system built covering the entire land.

Checking at the Roc Gao stream, we found that there was no longer any wastewater flowing out as recorded by the people about a month ago, due to the flood. However, in reality, the well water of some surrounding households still had a foul smell. Many households around the farm still did not dare to use well water and had to use rainwater.

Mr. Phan Van Vu - Chairman of Tien Thanh Commune People's Committee said: According to Mr. Hung's family's land records, it shows residential land and garden land. However, due to concerns about the difference between the actual area used by the household and the area in the records, the commune is assigning specialized departments to check and review.

Mr. Vu also confirmed that the farm is not included in the local land use plan. After the inspection, Mr. Hung also committed to moving the entire herd of pigs out of here. However, because there are some pregnant breeding sows, the family asked for an extension of the moving time.

Mr. Duong Xuan Phuc - Deputy Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Yen Thanh district said: The livestock farming of Mr. Hung's family in Tan Yen A hamlet, Tien Thanh commune, the district has also taken note and has established a team to inspect. To avoid causing damage to the farmers, some pregnant breeding pigs are being allowed to be kept.

"The district has also requested the People's Committee of Tien Thanh commune to regularly inspect, monitor and urge the implementation of the relocation of pigs according to the commitment. At the same time, handle according to the prescribed authority and promptly report to the District People's Committee any arising issues," Mr. Phuc added.