Tuesday, November 13, 2007 LT holds public hearing on chicken dung regulation By Jane Cadalig
TO ENSURE that the chicken dung delivered to farmers in Benguet passes the minimum standards for an organic fertilizer, dealers have proposed that officials impose sanitary measures to be adopted by vendors.
Dealers of chicken dung asked the Municipal Government of La Trinidad to coordinate with the local government units, which is the source of the byproduct, to regulate the trade.
The proposal was made during the first public hearing of the proposed ordinance, which seeks to regulate the chicken dung business in La Trinidad.
Barangay Shilan is one source of chicken dung in the town.
The Benguet Traders and Truckers Association (BTTA) said passage of regulatory measures on chicken dung must be imposed at the source so the byproducts that reached the farmers are safe from harmful microorganism. At least 50 BTTA members are engaged in the chicken dung trade.
The trade in La Trinidad was declared illegal by the, which was upheld by a local court due to the foul odor emanating from the byproduct.
Several orders have also been issued against the dung trade but this was tolerated due to requests from farmers who use the chicken waste as alternative to chemical fertilizers.
To legalize the business, the Municipal Council drafted an ordinance to regulate the chicken manure sale while imposing guidelines for its handling, storing and transport.
Among the provisions imposed by the ordinance include the putting up of warehouses by the dealers for the storage and packing of the byproduct.
The warehouse and the sale must also be put up and conducted in areas located at least 200 meters away from private and government institutions and residential houses.
Dealers must also ensure that the business does not obstruct traffic along the selling areas. Delivery trucks should be parked 15 meters from the center of the road.
