Chicken farmer claims he in the clear
He said health inspectors had been to see him about various complaints but found that he does obey the environmental rules and is not contributing to pollution in the area.
His chicken farm is not considered an air polluter.
This is according to Mr Thulani Dube.
Mr Dube claims the Tshwane Department of Environmental Affairs cleared his operation on a small holding about 24km from Bronkhorstspruit of these allegations.
Residents from Valtaki small holdings have been complaining for four years about the horrendous smell and excessive smoke coming from ZFGI Monumental Chickens.
They feel their human right to breathe in clean air has been violated.
Mr Dube disputes these allegations.
He said health inspectors had been to see him about various complaints but found that he does obey the environmental rules and is not contributing to pollution in the area.
“I have an environmental impact license. The Tshwane Department of Environmental Affairs does not regard us as emitters of smoke. Our emissions are far too low to be cause of concern.”
However, Mr Dube is willing to accommodate the community through better communication, something which was lacking between Mr Dube and his neighbours in the past.
This former resources employee used his pension and severance package to buy the land and set up his poultry business six years ago.
He explained that the smoke comes from the coal he uses to start up the heaters needed to keep the broiler chickens warm.
According to Mr Dube, this happens only in the first few minutes.
“Thereafter the coal burns nicely without smoke. The boilers are headed up when temperatures are low, especially in winter,” said Mr Dube.
Mr Dube admitted that recently his seven boilers did create large amounts of combustion due to the specific coal product that he had been burning and buying from his supplier.
He had been using an unwashed coal product that consists of 50% shale and 50% coal which resulted in loads of ash and an extended combustion period.
He said the sulphur concentrate was also too high and this caused the bad smell.
Mr Dube has since changed over to another product.
“Our supplier has said he will wash the coal to improve volatility and reduce sulphur,” he concluded.
