Farm odour concern

A MAJORITY?of residents are concerned about the smells that may result from livestock being raised on the Dodds Prison farm that has been earmarked to occupy more than 100 acres of land, says an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) study.The survey was done for the proposed upgrading of the agricultural facilities at the St Philip correctional facility. This will include the production of 30 types of vegetable crops on 40 acres of land, and the rearing of 18 000 broilers, 1 000 layers, 500 pigs, 100 cattle, 300 sheep and 60 rabbits on 60 acres of land.Fifty-two per cent of residents expressed their concern about possible offensive farm odours when questioned, 30 per cent said they had no concern, four per cent were undecided and 14 per cent did not respond.Forty-two per cent indicated that they were concerned about the possible adverse effects the use of pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals used on the farm would have on the health of surrounding residents.