THỪA THIÊN-HUẾ — Farmers in the central province of Thừa Thiên-Huế are protesting a slaughter project proposed to be built in their neighbourhood due to concerns about pollution and the loss of farming land.

Farmers in the province’s Bổn Trì Village have sent petitions to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the provincial People’s Committee to protest the proposal of the slaughter project with capacity to slaughter 7,100 cows, pigs, chickens and ducks per day.

The farmers in their petitions said the project would reduce farming area and pollute the neighbourhood. Further, they believed the slaughter project disrespected the village’s former head as it was to be located adjacent to a temple where he was worshipped.

According to a decision by the provincial People’s Committee, the slaughter house will use 5ha of farming land. Construction is scheduled to start in July. The project is located ahead of the village, where villagers have been cultivating rice and other crops for centuries.

“There are no natural means for irrigation in the village, such as rivers, canals or lakes. This means wastewater could flood our neighbourhood,” Trần Thị Thủy, a villager, said.

Another villager Châu Văn Hoạch said the village is situated on low-lying area, with its topography lower than surrounding areas and this meant wastewater could not flow away.

The villagers affirmed that no public consultations, as part of an environmental impact assessment, had been held with the community, whose lives and crop would be heavily affected by the proposed slaughter project.

Phan Ngọc Thọ, who is deputy chairman of the provincial People’s Committee and the decision maker of the slaughter project, promised "a rethink" of the slaughter house’s location following protests by villagers.

He was quoted by local newspapers as saying it was still a proposal, not a project, and telling villagers to stay calm.

The project will cost VNĐ59 billion (US$2.6 million), invested by a local company, which has proposed licensing for 50 years. — VNS