Egg producer back in production
Terry Halifax
Northern News Services
Hay River (Apr 02/01) - Northern Eggs chickens are back on the job after the town withdrew a stop-laying order over complaints of fowl odours.
Frank Richardson, owner of Northern Eggs, said he reached an agreement with town officials on March 14.
"We're resolved for the short-term anyway," Richardson said. "If they want no poultry smell, they'll have to move the barn" that shelters 46,000 chickens.
Built in 1986 with Hay River council's approval, the barn is close to homes and other businesses, but complies with Canadian Egg Producer's Standards, he said.
"The only time I would be concerned is if there was a perfume smell coming out of that barn," Richardson said. "I'm not zoned for that."
Terence Coutoreille, Hay River's senior administrative officer, said the agreement ensures regular cleanups of the barn.
"We've worked out a solution that will carry us into 2002," Coutoreille said. "There are a number of preventative maintenance issues that we've identified that if Frank can maintain -- particularly within the summer months -- it reduces the odour."
"Rather than debating whether it was right or wrong to put the barn where it is, we have a situation that we can work with and life goes on," he said.
