MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Eden District Municipality chose to uphold the Constitutional right of the community to clean air when it refused to renew the Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) for Southern Cape Fish Meal (SCFM) (PTY) LTD, the fish meal factory in Mossdustria.
For residents of Dana Bay, Aalwyndal and Mossdustria - who for years have been continuously complaining of their living conditions being negatively affected by the ongoing foul odour emanating from this plant - the decision comes as a victory.
Public participation
The EDM decision follows a comprehensive public participation process in which none of the Registered Interested and Affected Parties supported the factory's renewal application.
In a letter to the owners of SCFM on 17 April, the Eden District Municipality (EDM) stated that it "must be emphasised that some of the Interested and Affected Parties are representing Ward 11 and the residences of Aalwyndal and Dana Bay."
A significant number of complaints received are related to after-hours operations when the management is not present to oversee critical control parameters.
Furthermore, the EDM found that "the SCFM is not taking all reasonable steps to prevent the emissions of offensive odour as are evidenced by the amount and degree of on-going complaints received by both the district municipality and the Mossel Bay Municipality."
Cease activities
Pending a possible appeal process, the EDM instructed SCFM to cease activities relating to Category 10 Animal Matter Processing by 30 April and that plant decommissioning must be completed by 25 July. The current AEL of SCFM lapsed on 28 February. EDM granted an extension until 30 April.
The Mossel Bay Municipality also did not support the renewal of the licence specifically as SCFM is deemed to have a negative impact on investment and economic growth in Mossdustria and the greater Mossel Bay area.
In addition, SCFM also does not comply with the Mossel Bay By-Law on discharge of industrial effluent.
The EDM Air Quality Unit received repeated complaints from residents in Dana Bay, Aalwyndal and business owners in Mossdustria about the offensive odours emanating from SCFM.
Estate agents have in the past stated that the constant foul smell directly and negatively impacts property ownership in these areas, but especially in Mossdustria where the Mossel Bay Municipality incentivises new businesses growth.
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