Sam Piggery

Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR), on behalf of Mrs L. Sam, wishes to apply for an Integrated Environmental Authorisation (EA) and Waste Management Licence (WML) for the abovementioned project. Notice is hereby given in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act No. 107 of 1998, as amended) of the proposed piggery. The development of the facility is proposed to take place on Portion 196 of Farm No. 416, Rocklands, located within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, of the Eastern Cape province. The property has a total extent of approximately 47.5 hectares (ha), but the proposed development is will only consist of approximately 1 ha and can be accessed via the Elands River road and a gravel road leading to the farm. The Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) has approved the implementation of the Sam Piggery project. The farmer is currently undertaking pig farming on open land within depleted zinc structures resulting in high mortality and inhibiting livestock growth. It is thus the intention of the DRDAR to assist the farmer with the formalisation of the piggery by establishing a facility that can accommodate a 20-sow unit (200 pigs of average 60 kg each) within a previously disturbed area of the existing farm. The proposed development includes the following aspects:
• Site clearance including the removal and disposal of debris;
• Development of piggery housing:
o Breeding/weaner house (180 m²)
o Grower house (140 m²)
• Waste handling system consisting of one lagoon (2100 m³);
• Carcass disposal pit;
• Construction of boreholes and water reticulation system;
• Electricity supply from the existing ESKOM transformers;
• Construction of new access roads; and
• Provision of storm-water drains and pipes The study area consists of predominantly cleared and transformed agricultural land with some existing farm structures, while the surrounding land is mostly undeveloped and consists of natural bush. Located next to a non-perennial drainage line that feeds the Swartkops River to the north-east, the proposed development will need to ensure that effluent and storm water is correctly managed in order to avoid pollution of the watercourses.