1996/99
For up to date news visit the Connaught Telegraph website.
BSE measures cause 'maddening' Ballyhaunis smell
1 April 1998
BY TOM SHIEL
THE PRESENT 'maddening' odour in Ballyhaunis results from the incineration of meat in the local rendering plant at higher temperatures to kill the BSE bug.
This was confirmed yesterday( Tue) by Mr. Frank Clinton, a Licensing Officer with the Environmental Protection Agency, who explained that the Government has imposed regulations which mean that the country's rendering plants burn product at a higher temperature.
However, Mr. Clinton stressed that the odour problem caused by the Western Protein Plants was 'not acceptable'. The EPA official warned: 'There will be a prosecution if there hasn't been a substantial improvement by the end of the year.
OFFENSIVE
Mr. Clinton said numerous complaints had been made to the Agency by townspeople about 'burning odours that were quite offensive'. There had not been the same level of complaints from other areas with rendering plants possibly because these other plants weren't in such close proximity to built up areas.
Mr. Clinton said he was optimistic there would be a substantial irmpovement in the Ballyhaunis odour situation by the end of the year but if there wasn't, the Agency, was ready to take action.
The EPA has got written assurances from Western Proteins . The company is to employ an environmental officer of its own to look after plant environmental issues and has promised to implement a range of odour control measures.
