Environmental management planning for Wollondilly poultry farms

6 Jun 2017

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has partnered with NSW Farmers’ Association, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation and the poultry industry to deliver Environmental Management Planning workshops for poultry farmers in the Wollondilly region.

NSW DPI Poultry Meat Development Officer, Byron Stein said the aim of the workshops is to identify potential environmental and social risks associated with poultry farming and to adopt an Environmental Management Systems approach to manage these risks.

“The first environmental planning workshop was recently held at the Elizabeth McArthur Agricultural Institute with further workshops planned over the following months,” Mr Stein said.

“The first workshop was very well attended with 16 participants from seven Wollondilly poultry farms. Local council compliance officers also attended the workshop and brought a very useful perspective to the discussions.”

Mr Stein said the workshops focus on an environmental risk assessment for each individual farm and then develops a structured management plan to reduce these risks.

“Using aerial photography and a structured process of risk assessment we help poultry growers to develop environmental management plans that are specific to each individual farm,” Mr Stein said.

Mr Ray Lee, NSW Farmers Poultry Meat Manager said our aim is to improve best practice and reduce odour, noise and concerns about the environment for poultry farmers.

“Effective management and monitoring of environmental risks associated with poultry farms will reduce conflict between the poultry industry and peri-urban communities and rural residences in the Wollondilly region,” Mr Lee said.

“The Environmental Management Plans are designed so that they can be easily assessed by an independent environmental expert who can then guide and help farmers to achieve their plans over time.”

Mr Stein said poultry production is an incredibly important and valuable agribusiness contributing to Wollondilly and the state’s economies.

“The poultry meat industry is the largest employer in the region and supports a range of other businesses which service and supply the industry,” Mr Stein said.

“We are seeking to ensure the poultry industry continues to have a future in the region. We hope this project will give the local community some confidence that the industry is doing everything it reasonably can to limit its environmental footprint.”

Media contact: Anne Brook (02) 6763 1163 or 0477 358 305