On April 24, regarding the incident of a squid processing factory giving off a foul smell in a residential area, Mr. Bui Quoc Nghi - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Cat District (Binh Dinh) - directed the handling, after listening to the Department of Agriculture and Environment report the results of the inspection and verification of the current situation.
Through inspection, the operation of the squid processing facility belonging to Trung Luong business household ( facility 2) in Phu Hau village (Cat Chanh commune), owned by Ms. Bui Thi Ai Vy.
This facility operates in a factory with an area of 719 1.5m2, on a plot of land in Cat Chanh commune. This is the factory area that Ms. Vy rented out to Mr. Phan Ngoc Thuyen from September 1, 2023, with a lease term of until September 1, 2028. Currently, this plot of land has not been granted a Land Use Rights Certificate.
Notably, the facility is located in a townhouse-style residential area, the squid processing process creates a foul smell, seriously affecting the lives of surrounding residents.
Some households living near the squid factory reported that although this facility has a shield during the production process, the stench caused by squid processing still exists, even day and night. This situation has caused many people to worry about affecting their health.
Some people also expressed concern about the risk of pollution of groundwater sources, because wastewater from the processing can seep into the soil.
Faced with the above situation, Mr. Bui Quoc Nghi requested the People's Committee of Cat Chanh commune to urgently work with Trung Luong business household to agree and commit to the time to relocate the squid processing facility out of the residential area, to be completed no later than April 25.
" Checking and verifying the origin, land use process, and whether Mr. Phan Ngoc Thuyen's workshop was leased according to regulations or not, report to the District People's Committee for consideration and direction of handling," Mr. Nghi requested.
The Vice Chairman of Phu Cat District People's Committee directed Cat Chanh Commune People's Committee to inspect all production and business establishments operating in residential areas in the commune, to promptly detect and handle violations, especially environmental issues.
"Phu Cat Power Company has measures to handle the supply of electricity for production to Trung Luong business household according to regulations.
The Phu Cat - Phu My Inter-district Tax Team worked with this business household to determine the declaration and payment of taxes according to regulations for pre-exempt business activities, and advise on handling related violations," Mr. Nghi suggested.
Mr. Nghi also assigned the Finance - Planning Department to work with the business owner to check whether business activities are in accordance with the issued license or not, if there is a violation, then advise on the next steps to revoke the Business Registration License.
Previously, in early April 2025, reporters were present in the area and recorded a strong stench coming from the incense processing factory, spreading throughout the residential area, especially strong when approaching the factory. Many people gathered around the squid factory, stretched out banners to protest, and demanded a thorough handling of the prolonged pollution.
Ms. Nguyen Thi To Tam - a resident living near the squid factory - said: "The factory operates continuously day and night, the stench causes the whole family to suffer from respiratory diseases, especially the young child who often coughs and fears due to polluted air".
Sharing the same concern, Mr. Ly Phuoc Hoa reflected: "The domestic water source used to be very clean, now it is contaminated with salt and odor, causing itching every time used. We have reported it many times but it has not been thoroughly handled."
According to Mr. Tran Vinh Phu - Head of the village and Secretary of the Phu Hau Party Cell, there are currently about 70-80 households that are directly affected by the operation of the squid processing factory.
