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Roban: farm smell problem can be overcome

Plans to install equipment to reduce the smell of manure at a Devonshire farm are dependent on a manure management plan, the Government said.A spokeswoman for the Department of Planning confirmed a revised application for infrastructure to tackle odour complaints at Green Land Dairy Farm had been submitted.But the spokeswoman said on Friday: “Approval of the revision is predicated upon finalisation of the manure management plan, which was an original condition of planning approval.”She was speaking after Paul Almeida, the owner of the farm, told neighbours he was waiting on planning approval for aeration equipment that could reduce the bad smells by up to 80 per cent.Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, said: “Both the Department of Planning and the Department of Health have been working closely with Mr Almeida — and the previous owners — to ensure that we fix all of the issues to the satisfaction of the neighbourhood residents with a method that works for everyone.“We thank Mr Almeida for his efforts in trying to find solutions which have included, most recently, the relocation of some of his cows and treating the manure with enzymes to manage the smell. “He bought this farm in July with its pre-existing issues — issues which we are confident can all be overcome.”Mr Roban added: “We appreciate our farmers and are grateful for their contributions to our local food economy. “This government has long advocated for Bermuda to become more self-sufficient in terms of our food supply with a sustainable agriculture framework in place to lessen our reliance on overseas supplies and, ultimately, lower food costs for certain items.”About 600 complaints have been filed against Green Land Dairy Farms over foul smells and pest infestations since 2017.The problems were blamed on the farm’s manure pit.