Uneasy about living next to a pig farm
Bac Kan Agricultural Development Investment Joint Stock Company is implementing the High-tech Breeding pig farming investment project phase I in Thanh Thinh commune (Cho Moi district), with a scale of 2,400 pigs and a capital of more than 50 billion VND. The fact that the farm is located between the hills and the headwaters of the Piau stream makes people feel insecure.
In addition to the strong stench, the wastewater spilled into the environment seriously affected the lives of people in the downstream area.
According to the reporter's records in the last days of March 2025, standing hundreds of meters away from the pig farm area, you can smell the stench. The farms were built separately on high hills. Many wastewater tanks are located in open space and have not been built with solid retaining walls. This affects the lives of people in the villages of Na O, Na Deo, Na Chiem, Na Giao (Thanh Thinh commune).
Living near the pig farm, Ms. Luc Thi Soan (Na Chiem village, Thanh Thinh commune) said that every time it is bad, the stench is so strong that it cannot be accepted. The area of Na Chiem village has to endure a foul smell, while the villages below such as Na O and Na Deo affect the water source.
"The stench continues to follow the wind flowing to the surrounding area. People have repeatedly complained to the village chief to resolve the issue, hoping that there will be a definitive solution to protect the environment," said Ms. Soan.
According to Ms. La Thi Thu (Thanh Thinh commune), the pig farm is located at the headwaters of Piau stream, with a discharge pipe installed directly into the stream. Previously, taking advantage of the rain, the farm often discharged waste in the evening.
"In addition to the stench, there is also a risk of pollution from wastewater. People downstream often use stream water for production activities. Many families have died raising fish in ponds near the stream. Around the pig farm area, dozens of households are affected, and their lives have been turned upside down," Ms. Thu said indignantly.
Wastewater spilled into the environment
Mr. Luong Van Que (Na O village, Thanh Thinh commune) said that he had lost his flock of fish raised in the Piau stream area due to polluted water. Many fish farming households along the downstream area of Piau stream are also facing a similar situation.
"Last year, during the flood, the wastewater overflowed into the buffalo flies. The farm is located upstream of the stream, so there is a lot of worry. I just hope the pig farm does not affect the environment or people's lives," Mr. Que said indignantly.
According to the reporter's investigation, at the end of August 2024, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Cho Moi district issued document No. 132 on checking and verifying information to resolve the public situation on environmental pollution in Thanh Thinh commune.
At the location where wastewater spilled into the environment according to people's feedback, Bac Kan Agricultural Development Investment Joint Stock Company reported that at the end of May 2024, a collection hole at the head of the project's livestock barn was blocked, so untreated wastewater (psui dung) spilled into the environment.
Checking the status of environmental protection works shows that the unit is operating testing for wastewater treatment facilities. At the lake position after treatment No. 2, there is no pump system to pump discharge into the environment. However, the time for inspection to detect wastewater in the lake after treatment No. 2 was infused, leaked out of the environment with a flow length of about 25m from the edge of the hole.
Talking to PV Lao Dong newspaper, Mr. Ly Van Que - Vice Chairman of Thanh Thinh Commune People's Committee - said that the locality has received feedback from the people about environmental pollution. When the authorities conducted the inspection, the unit reported due to the congestion hole, so the wastewater was not treated out. After that, the pig farm had overcome the problem. The locality also requires the company to operate safety, without affecting people's lives.
According to Mr. Bui Nguyen Quynh - Head of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Cho Moi district, when there was a complaint, the unit went down to check. Currently, if people continue to have opinions, the department will report to the competent authority. If there is a basis for the reflection, an interdisciplinary team will continue to be established to inspect and handle it according to regulations.
