Canada health authorities order Lilydale to clean up
Residents of a southeast Calgary neighbourhood are claiming victory in a long-standing dispute with Canadian poultry processing plant, Lilydale.
Alberta Health Services recently ordered Lilydale to improve how it transports and stores waste from its operation at Hurst Road S.E. in Ramsay following years of complaints from nearby residents about spilled blood, strewn chicken parts and terrible odour.
Inspections of the Lilydale plant revealed numerous violations including:
· Offal (entrails and internal organs) in bins not filled according to any given procedure, resulting in overfilling and spillage.
· Failure to adequately contain offal and prevent spillage during transport.
· Chicken feet strewn in the yard of the plant.
· Accumulation of blood in the yard beneath the offal bin.
· Offal not adequately secured from pests.
The company was ordered to stop transporting waste bins that may leak or spill as of February 10.
In addition, Alberta Health Services issued several specific orders for fixing other problems. Lilydale has until May 3 to put maximum fill-lines on the offal bins, instruct employees and contractors how to properly fill and secure the bins, and refrain from transporting any bins that are leaking.
The company was also told to make further improvements by August 16, including grading the area around the bins to stop blood from pooling and putting all waste in fly-proof, waterproof containers.
A spokesperon from Lilydale said Tuesday (Mar 2) it will comply with all laws and guidelines set for the Calgary factory. Jacques Pelletier added that the company has been working with the community and city officials for years to address residents' concerns.
Lilydale announced in February that it is being bought by Sofina Foods, with the deal expected to be finalised in April. Until then, Pelletier said Sofina's plans for the Calgary plant are unknown, but in the long term, the plant cannot remain at its current location.
