POULTRY FARMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26531, 5 August 1947, Page 6

POULTRY FARMS

POSITION IN MOSGIEL BY-LAW AMENDED An amendment to its proposed bylaw dealing with poultry farms in the borough to provide less stringent measures for cleaning of poultry runs was made by the Mosgiel Borough Council after hearing a deputation representing the poultry farmers at its meeting last night. The Mayor, Mr W. P. Hartstonge, presided, and the members of the deputation were Messrs C. H. Breeze, W. H. Harvey, J. W. Steel, and N. Anderson. Mr Steel said that, in his opinion, the proposed by-law was unreasonable because .its effect would be to curtail business. He did not think the restrictions would benefit the town. His ground was on the outskirts of the borough and the land was not suitable for building. He denied that the commercial farms provided any nuisance. Weekly Cleaning Impossible Mr Harvey said that weekly cleaning of fowlhouses was impossible and that lime washing in June and December was not practicable. He would clean out once a year and spray once a year with disinfectant. Mr Breeze stated that production would be retarded. The Mhyor replied that he offered no evidence in support of this. Production maintained at its present level did not mean retardation and a reasonable increase would not be restricted. There was nothing in the by-law to prevent application for the erection of new buildings. Replying to the deputation, (he Mayor traced the history of the bylaw. He quoted a letter from the medical officer of health advising that poultry units should be restricted to areas well away from private dwellings. Two to three years ago the present council, foreseeing extension of dwellings, had decided that poultry farms should be restricted. The first by-law, passed in 1937, had applied to two poultry farmers who were still carrying on. Neither of these was represented in the deputation, and apparently neither had suffered in any way, though that by-law was a much more severe one than the present one. The deputation had presented no case to prove that an experienced poultry farmer could not carry on. A Limit Necessary The council was not prepared to encourage large poultry farmers in the populated area, the Mayor added. There was no suggestion of victimisation. There was apparently no limit to the number of birds that might have co be kept at any future date to enable poultry farmers to make a living. The council had to make a limit. Present buildings in almost every case were sufficient to provide a living, and further extensions might become uneconomic. After further brief discussion on a possible amendment, it was decided to amend the by-law to provide that poultry runs should be treated for prevention or destruction of vermin, etc., and cleaned out at such times as should be directed by the council. The by-law will take effect from September 1. •