from Zaqy M
to XXX
cc mailto:ask.mp@keathong.com,mewr_feedback@mewr.gov.sg, Teo, Carol YEW
date Sep 8, 2007 10:48 AM
subject Re: Bad Smell at nights
Dear Mr xxx,
Thank you for your e-mail. We are aware of residents' feedback on this issue and have been engaging our residents on the ground as well as various channels on this. We have also met with AVA last month to develop a poster note for residents on the latest development - where the final farm has agreed to move when its lease ends in 2-3 years. This will be put on the RC notice boards for affected blocks. This is a recent development, even after your first e-mail complaint.
AVA's response to the Shin Min was specifically to a writer's comment in the forum page. The issue with the smell in the air has been a long-standing one that the NEA, AVA and the Town Council has been managing. However, it is certainly difficult to control odours in the air - despite the fact that the farms in the vicinity comply to the health standards put in place.
Over the past few years, NEA and AVA have reduced the number of farms in the area from 6 to just 1. This was also a result of constant feedback and engagement with the grassroots and Town Council. The one remaiing farm - Seng Choon - is one of the largest and whose chickens are enclosed in an air-conditioned area to prevent foul smells exiting. However, given certain weather conditions, such as high-levels of humidity, the foul smells may worsen if the wind-direction carries it in the direction of our estates. Thus, this is why the smell is often more noticeable at night. However, the emissions, according to NEA and AVA are well within acceptable health standards.
In the meantime, there is nothing much that can be done about the air, as environmental issues are not within our control. Given the situation with bird flu and our dependency on foreign imports for eggs, these farms are crucial to maintain the prices and supply of eggs in Singapore. We cannot be totally dependent on foreign supplies as their prices are difficult to control in times of crisis - such as the situation during the SARS period.
On a separate note, I check all e-mails personally, and am surprised to know that your enquiry was not responded to. I verified against our archives and did not find your previous e-mails there on the dates in your attachments below. Perhaps, there may have been technical errors where we did not receive your e-mail.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Zaqy
