[Protection of residents in the vicinity of intensive livestock units from possible health risks].
Parts of the population in the southern areas of the governmental district Weser-Ems in the North West of Germany are concerned about the increasing concentration of intensive livestock farming in this region. They are especially worried about the possible effects of airborne emissions such as gases and particulates from these enterprises on the respiratory health of the local residents. Judicial aspects and control mechanisms are explained against the background of practical administrative procedures. All measures to avoid odour pollution are regularly enacted including the distance regulation. In principle legal protection exists for residents against the effects of particulate emissions from intensive animal farming too, but there is not yet sufficient knowledge of how to put it into practice. Therefore no specific preventive measures exist to date. Additional preventive or protective measures concerning particles can only be introduced if there is new scientific evidence that the residents are at risk. The legislators see the best prevention in limiting emissions by up to date technologies. For the administration it is important to know how far the relevant substances are transported from the animal houses. On this basis it will be possible to define the necessary distances.
Bezirksregierung Weser-Ems.
R
R
Möhle
D000397:Air Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards*; D000818:Animals; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D009812:Odorants; D012307:Risk Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000592:standards*