Quang Tri integrates livestock development with environmental protection

The development of livestock and poultry farming in Quảng Trị Province has brought significant economic benefits to the local population. However, environmental pollution caused by waste from these activities has become a pressing concern for residents. Therefore, to achieve sustainable development and maximize benefits, it is essential to expand livestock farming while ensuring effective environmental protection measures.

As of May 2024, Quang Tri Province has a total of 21,260 buffaloes, 62,043 cattle, 233,928 pigs, and 3,922,000 poultry. The province hosts 697 livestock and poultry farms, including 23 large-scale farms, 209 medium-scale farms, and 465 small-scale farms.

Nearly 100 of these farms use high-tech applications and collaborate with businesses. Modern farming methods, such as high-yield breeds, closed housing systems, and automated processes for feeding, watering, and disinfecting, are becoming increasingly common.

Waste treatment solutions like biogas systems and biological bedding are being expanded, improving product quality, economic efficiency, and disease safety.

However, inherited data and analysis of wastewater samples from livestock farms by relevant authorities show that most farms exceed the regulatory standards set by QCVN 62:2016/BTNMT and QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT. While the analysis of air emissions from 10 livestock farms reveals that NH3 and H2S levels are within the permissible limits of QCVN 05:2023/BTNMT, the odor from these farms still spreads, causing discomfort to nearby residential areas.

The foul odor can travel over a radius of more than 1 km, leading to complaints from residents even if the farms adhere to the distance regulations specified in Circular No. 23/2019/TT-BNNPTNT by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. In 2023 and the first few months of 2024, many residents have reported environmental pollution issues related to livestock farming to the relevant authorities.

Notably, the unpleasant odors from pig farms in Cam Lo, Huong Hoa, Hai Lang, and Vinh Linh districts have been problematic. The cause is often the spontaneous and unregulated development of many livestock farms, lacking coordinated investment. Although some environmental treatment measures are in place, the technology does not match the actual scale of the farms, leading to overloads. Environmental treatment efforts are often ineffective and do not meet regulatory standards. Compliance with the environmental procedures outlined in the 2020 Environmental Protection Law remains limited among livestock and poultry farms.

Many livestock and poultry farm owners still view the preparation of environmental documentation as mere administrative tasks, with little relevance to practical implementation. These farms are often scattered, interspersed among residential areas, and have limited land, making it challenging to build adequate waste treatment facilities. This situation complicates environmental management efforts.

The frequency of environmental inspections and violation enforcement by authorities is still insufficient, lacking a deterrent effect. While awareness of environmental protection in livestock farming has improved, significant issues remain.

Some farm owners do not fully recognize that economic development must go hand-in-hand with environmental protection, and they do not rigorously adhere to the 2020 Environmental Protection Law.

Nguyen Huu Nam, Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, stated that livestock and poultry farming activities have caused environmental pollution in some farms within the province. This pollution has negatively impacted residents' lives and the overall environment. Despite these farms generally complying with the 2020 Environmental Protection Law and environmental procedures, the pressure to quickly repopulate livestock has led some farms to begin operations before completing necessary environmental treatment tests. This premature activity has resulted in large volumes of untreated waste being directly discharged, affecting water quality, resident activities, and posing a threat to soil pollution.

Currently, the expansion from individual or small-scale farms to larger operations often occurs outside of planned livestock development areas. These farms, located within residential areas, fail to maintain adequate safe distances from homes, and the waste treatment processes face financial, technological, and logistical challenges, leading to environmental pollution in various locations within the province.

To address these challenges, Quang Tri Province has implemented multiple initiatives to improve environmental management in livestock farming. The provincial government has instructed the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to collaborate with various departments, districts, towns, and cities to promote and enforce the 2020 Environmental Protection Law, effective from January 1, 2022. This includes providing detailed guidance on environmental protection, especially in livestock farming.

Farm owners receive instructions on environmental procedures and information on waste treatment systems. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment actively cooperates with local environmental offices to inspect and evaluate the status of livestock and poultry farms, providing specific recommendations and guidance.

The Department also strengthens collaboration with local authorities and units to conduct inspections and address violations. This ensures that farms lacking adequate waste treatment systems or failing to complete required environmental procedures are identified and penalized, mitigating public discontent and environmental harm.

As of October 2022, only 41.58% of livestock farms in Quang Trị province meet the veterinary hygiene, livestock, and environmental protection standards, which corresponds to 42 out of 101 communes. Using funds from organizations and projects such as World Vision and the Central Biogas Program, along with local government support, rural households have constructed composite biogas digesters to manage livestock waste. This initiative follows a cost-sharing model where the state contributes 40% and the people 60%.

Currently, the province has approximately 5,000 biogas facilities and hundreds of models using biological bedding in livestock and poultry farming. These models help manage waste, reduce environmental pollution, capture methane for cooking, electricity generation, and heating, and ultimately lower greenhouse gas emissions. These practices have proven effective for household-scale livestock farming, enhancing production efficiency and minimizing rural environmental pollution.

Additionally, the province has implemented regulations prohibiting livestock farming in urban areas and residential zones and has designated areas for swiftlet farming and concentrated pig farming. This proactive zoning helps local authorities plan and secure clean land to attract future livestock investment.

Furthermore, the province continues to introduce investment incentives for developing concentrated, disease-free, high-tech livestock farming zones. These incentives align with the Livestock Law, Veterinary Law, and Environmental Protection Law, aiming to leverage local livestock farming potential.

Sy Hoang - Ngoc Mai