CHICKEN FARMERS IN CHUA CHU KANG (Smell reduction)

Assoc. Prof. Low Seow Chay asked the Minister for National Development whether his Ministry has any plan to help the chicken farmers in Chua Chu Kang to deal with smell reduction.

The Minister of State for National Development (Dr John Chen Seow Phun) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, complaints from residents in Chua Chu Kang of smell nuisance from the four poultry farms at Sungei Tengah Agrotechnology Park have intensified over the last two years. A study commissioned by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) found that the major cause of the smell nuisance is the improper handling and composting of poultry waste by the farms. The problem is aggravated during the times of the year when the wind blows from the poultry farms towards Chua Chu Kang Town.

To contain the smell effectively, the farms will need to improve their current mode of operations to take into consideration the impact on their surroundings. They will need to put in place smell control measures. In fact, one of the farms has recognised this need and has started doing so.

The Government would like to urge the other farms to follow the example. However, we recognise that not all the farms may want to make further investments into their operations. If they wish to cease operations because they will not be able to meet the ENV's smell control requirements, the Government will offer them an ex-gratia payment to ease their early exit. For the farms that choose to continue operation, they will have to take measures to meet the ENV's smell control requirements by April 2002, ie, one year from today. AVA and ENV have assessed that this is a reasonable time-frame for the farms to put in place the required smell control measures.

AVA and ENV officers have met with the farmers to outline to them the details of the offer of ex-gratia payment and explain how AVA and ENV will help them to implement the necessary smell control measures by April 2002 if they opt to continue poultry farming.

It is understandable for residents in Chua Chu Kang to want the smell nuisance removed quickly. However, we need to give the four poultry farms a reasonable period of time to put in the smell control measures. I would therefore like to seek the understanding and patience of the residents in Chua Chu Kang Town. AVA and ENV are confident that, with understanding and cooperation of the four farms, the smell nuisance can be removed. They will monitor their implementation closely during this interim period.

Assoc. Prof. Low Seow Chay (Chua Chu Kang): Sir, I would like to ask the Minister of State to elaborate a little bit more on the smell control measures so that the farmers will be able to comply with them. I would also like to ask whether the measures are economically viable for the farmers. If not, why should there be such measures to curb the farms from operating?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Sir, ENV has got standards that would require the farms to comply with and one of these standards is to treat the smell. There are many technologies that they can use for waste treatment, but the concern is the smell that is generated from this treatment. One method, for instance, is to enclose the building and scrub the air that is discharged. ENV will help the farmers and explain to them what kind of standards ENV would require.

The farmers will then have to assess whether the investment that they have to put in is viable economically. If they feel that it is not economically viable, the Government is prepared, on a goodwill basis, to ease their early exit by offering them an ex-gratia payment. But if they feel that they can still be competitive with this investment, they are welcome to do so. ENV and AVA can also help them to apply for assistance under the relevant Government schemes, for example, the PSB schemes for SMEs, to ease their implementation.

Assoc. Prof. Low Seow Chay: Sir, if the farmers agree to invest in the facilities, as stated by the Minister of State, will the Government consider extending their lease because the current 20-year lease will expire in six years' time? If such a significant amount of funds is to be invested in the anti-pollution measures, I think it is only fair for the Government to extend the lease if they comply with the regulation. Could the Minister of State respond?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Sir, it is still too early to say whether there will be other development needs come 2007. What we are prepared to say is that nearer 2007, if there is no urgent need for other developments and if the smell nuisance is controlled, then we can consider extending the lease on a short-term basis.

Assoc. Prof. Low Seow Chay: Sir, investment in the farm is not a small sum of money that people talk about. We are talking about $7-$10 million of investment. If we are asking the farmers to invest now and yet, at the same time, we are not quite sure whether in six years' time their lease can be extended or not, I think it is very unfair for the farmers at this moment of time to comply with the regulations. Could the Minister of State respond?

Dr John Chen Seow Phun: Sir, if I were a farmer, I will work on the basis of seven years from now.