Surrounded by Stench
Most recently, the pig farm of Agri-Vina Agricultural Investment Joint Stock Company (located in Tan Phuc commune, Lang Chanh district) has caused a foul odor, affecting thousands of households in Tan Phuc commune and Lang Chanh town, making residents extremely upset and reporting to the authorities.
After residents in Tan Phuc commune and Lang Chanh town reacted strongly, the relevant authorities quickly intervened. On July 2, a provincial inter-agency task force led by Mr. Le Duc Giang - Vice Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee - visited the farm. After inspecting and working with relevant departments and local authorities, the provincial leadership decided to suspend the farm's operations from July 30.
Another incident involving a pig farm occurred on July 4 and 5, when dozens of residents from Lam Sinh hamlet 13 (Nghia Yen commune, Nghia Dan district, Nghe An province) gathered at the Khe Sao area in Lam Sinh hamlet 13 and in front of the Bai Tranh pig farm (in hamlet 10, Bai Tranh commune, Nhu Xuan district, Thanh Hoa) to demand that the authorities of Nghe An and Thanh Hoa provinces clarify the situation, suspecting that the Khe Sao water source was heavily polluted by the pig farm.
According to many residents of Lam Sinh hamlet, Nghia Yen commune, Nghia Dan district, for generations, the Khe Sao water has always been clear, flowing year-round, serving as a water source for many households for daily use and irrigation. However, since the Bai Tranh pig farm (located in Thanh Hoa) began operations, Khe Sao has become polluted, fish have died, and foul odors have been constant.
Immediately after receiving the report, the relevant authorities and local governments of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces went to the scene to inspect, take samples, and propose further handling measures.
Previously, in August 2023, many residents in Xuan Hoa commune, Nhu Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province also reported that two pig farms in the area, covering tens of hectares, were in the trial operation phase and caused a terrible stench. Upon receiving the report, the local government and relevant authorities of Thanh Hoa province conducted inspections and took initial handling steps.
If Pollution Persists, Permanent Shutdown
According to research, currently, in many mountainous districts of Thanh Hoa province, there are many large-scale pig farms being built. Among them, some farms have been causing fear among residents due to odor pollution or nearby water sources turning black and emitting foul odors.
Regarding environmental pollution issues, most recently, at the 20th session of the 18th Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Council, term 2021-2026, some voters raised the issue of rectifying pig farms causing environmental pollution. Responding to this issue, Mr. Do Minh Tuan - Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee - stated that in recent years, the locality has determined not to approve investment policies for projects that pose a risk to the environment.
For projects that were approved for investment many years ago but have caused environmental pollution during operation, they must also be thoroughly addressed.
For example, the pig farm of Agri-Vina Agricultural Investment Joint Stock Company (in Tan Phuc commune, Lang Chanh district) was approved for investment several years ago and has recently been completed and put into operation. However, its operations have affected the environment, causing public outrage.
"Therefore, the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee has directed the relevant authorities and localities to take decisive measures, and immediately stop pig farming at the farm. It will only resume when there is no pollution; otherwise, it will be permanently shut down," emphasized the Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee.
