In related news now, the province has designated 59 local hog farms as “Odor Control Zones.” The designation obliges farmers to reduce the odors from their facilities, but they say the province has gone too far. Joseph Kim reports. Report
[slug] ‘Odor Control Zones’ designated March 23
The province designated local pig farms where odor levels exceed standards as “Odor Control Zones” on March 23rd by administrative notification.
[Slug] 59 farms in Odor Control Zones
The zones cover 560,000 square meters of land. 59 pig farms and 11 rural villages including (금악리) Geumak-ri, (한림읍) Hallim-eup were selected.
The designation was made based on the results of last year’s odor survey of 101 locations.
Places where the odor levels exceed standards by over 31 percent are designated as odor control zones. ### C.G IN
33 places in (금악리) Geumak-ri, (한림읍)Hallim-eup, 5 places in (상대리) Sangdae-ri, (한림읍) Hallim-eup and 4 places in (고성리)Goseong-ri, (애월읍)Aewol-eup are included in the Zones. ### C.G OUT
The designation had been postponed twice since January.
While delaying the decision, the number of pig farms chosen for the Odor Control Zones was reduced from 96 pig farms to 59.
Recording Jeon Seong-tae / Vice governor Ninety-six farms were under consideration. We have deferred the designation of 37 of them that were able to cut odor levels to under 30% of the standard. <싱크 : 전성태 / 제주도 행정부지사> "제주도는 당초 지정대상 96개소 중에 악취방지 자구노력과 기준 초과의 경중을 종합적으로 판단해서 악취배출 허용기준 초과율이 30% 이하인 양돈장 37개소는 지정을 유보했고…."
All of the pig facilities in the Odor Control Zones are required to come up with plans to cut down on the smell within 6 months of the designation.
After submitting the plans, they should build pig odor removers within 6 months.
If a pig farmer violates the administrative notification, a correction order is issued.
And if the violator doesn’t follow the order, his or her business will be suspended or a fine will be imposed.
Along with the designation of Odor Control Zones by the constant smell survey, the province is building an odor management center to aid local pig farms to eliminate pig odors.
Recording Park Geun-su / Provincial government We’ll survey odors again this year at the remaining 195 farms. Those that don’t meet standards will be designated as Odor Control Zones. <싱크 : 박근수 / 제주도 생활환경과장> "올해도 다시 악취 측정을 할 겁니다. 나머지 195개 농장에 대해 다시 측정을 할 건데, 만약에 기준치를 초과되면 추가로 악취관리지역으로 지정 고시할 계획입니다."
The pork industry opposes the measure.
Representatives of the industry visited the provincial office to complain about the designation.
The local industry is also looking into taking legal action against the province.
INTERVIEW Woo Seong-ho / Jeju pork industry representative We cannot accept the province’s criteria. We have faithfully followed officials guidance, and we doubt whether the designations are just. The province could have other intentions. <인터뷰 : 우성호 / 제주양돈업체 비상대책위원회> "우리가 악취지역에 선정될 만큼 잘못한 일이 뭐가 있는지, 또, 제주도가 시킨 일을 우리가 안 한게 뭐가 있는지. 정상적으로 악취지역에 선정된게 맞는지, 악취지역 선정이 다른 의도로 이뤄진 것은 아닌지 (의구심이 있습니다.)"
[Reporter] Joseph Kim [Camera] Ko Moon-su
However, despite the pork industry’s strong opposition, neighbors of swine farms who have suffered from the pig odors for decades wish the province’s efforts to pay off this time.
