In a poultry farm.

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PHILIPPE HUGUEN / AFP

The prefecture of the North has authorized an intensive breeding project to accommodate 117,600 chickens in Steenwerck (North), disputed locally and which had been the subject of an unfavorable opinion from the commissioner in charge of the public inquiry. we learned on Friday.

This project, developed by SARL Warembourg et fils, a subcontractor of the Belgian company Leievoeders, provides for the installation of poultry in two buildings of 2,800 m2 each - i.e. 21 animals per m2 - and the creation of a borehole of 70 m deep, according to the public inquiry report.

The operators wish to extend and enlarge “a previous activity interrupted by a fire” in 2018, which then included 20,000 poultry.

The Belgian company "sells food, brings eggs from Belgium, buys the chickens via a Belgian slaughterhouse", specifies the investigating commissioner.

"The project, following an investigation (...) was the subject of a favorable opinion from CODERST (Departmental Council for the Environment and Health and Technological Risks) on February 16, 2021", indicated the northern prefecture on Friday.

"In accordance with the regulations in force", it "was the subject of an environmental authorization order" signed Thursday, March 25.

Destruction of the quality of life of local residents

"Ignoring the destruction of the quality of life of residents (unbearable odors, proliferation of flies, incessant noise), public health, environmental nuisances (...) and the suffering of animals", the prefecture "took a scandalous decision ”, indignant Friday on its site the local association Flaner.

She announces her intention to take legal action and launch a crowdfunding campaign.

The mayor of Steenwerck, Joël Devos, also said he was “disappointed with the prefectural position”.

Unfavorable opinions had been issued by its municipal council and that of Sailly-sur-la-Lys.

If this breeding "effectively meets current standards (...) laws are currently under discussion in the National Assembly, especially on animal welfare", he noted.

"The inhabitants live it very hard, consider themselves as taken hostage," he added.

"To respond to the public's comments, (...) additional measures were prescribed in the decree", such as a noise study, or supervision of the spreading of livestock effluent, specifies the prefecture, committing to "order an inspection in the months following the commissioning of this installation".

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