Dijksma does not adjust odor standards

State Secretary Dijksma of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment will not adjust the national odor standards. The research into odor nuisance by the Dutch Association of Pig Farmers (NVV) has had an influence on this. 

'The investigation by the NVV has not been able to establish a reliable connection between the nuisance experience and the odor nuisance. The study thus strengthens the RIVM's conclusion,' said Dijksma in her decision. 'Further research into the relationship between odor pollution and nuisance on a national scale is therefore not useful.' 

POV satisfied
The Producers Organization Livestock Farming (POV) is satisfied with this decision. 'We are pleased with the decision of the State Secretary and with the fact that the NVV's investigation has contributed to this,' he said. Ingrid Janssen of the POV.

The NVV commissioned the Flemish Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries and Food Research (ILVO) and the specialized consultancy Olfascan for the odor research. The union already suspected that odor nuisance is less common than originally assumed. 

The NVV also believed that the current policy on events in the Netherlands is based on outdated calculation models. 'The NVV's suspicions have been confirmed with this report. It is therefore right that Dijksma has included this report in its decision not to adjust the national standards', says Jansen. 

Research results
The survey by the Dutch Pig Farmers' Union showed that local residents hardly odor nuisance experience of the surrounding livestock farms. The survey showed that 96,8 percent of the respondents do not experience any discomfort from the smell. It also turned out that 96 percent are 'satisfied to very satisfied' with their own living environment. 

Working group involves report
The report of the Dutch Pig Farmers Union has become involved in the evaluation of the Odor Nuisance and Livestock Farming Act by a working group. This working group is led by the former State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Co Verdaas. Representatives of the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG), Interprovinciaal Overleg (IPO), LTO Nederland, GGD GHOR Nederland, Environmental Federations and representatives of citizen groups are also part of the working group. 

POV continues to discuss
The POV is still in consultation with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment about reducing or lowering the odor plumes and the associated standards. The POV will also continue to work on standardizing standards in the European Union. 'These still show too great differences', says Jansen. 

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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