Mink farm opponents should be heard: Bagnall

P.E.I Opposition Leader Jim Bagnall says he's disappointed, but not surprised the government approved a new mink farm for Springton without holding a public hearing.

More than a hundred residents from the area signed a petition asking for a hearing on the proposal, as part of the environmental impact assessment.

They said they had specific concerns they wanted addressed, such as odour and water pollution.

But earlier this week, the Ghiz government gave the green light for construction. Officials said residents who live near this site have no reason to be concerned.

Bagnall said the residents deserved to be heard.

"This government has had a history of not listening to the people. They move ahead without any consultation or any discussions. They did that with the health care, they did that with the closure of small schools," he said Thursday.

"I wouldn't have thought that it would be too much of an effort to have a public meeting and sit down with them and discuss it."

Bagnall said compromises can always be made, but the government didn't even entertain that idea.

The province approved an application from Ryan MacPhee to build two mink barns that would house about 2,000 breeding female minks.

The barns would house up to 10,000 animals during peak periods, after the females give birth.

Environment Minister Richard Brown said Tuesday that the proposed farm passed the environmental review.

"They meet all the specifications and all the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act," he said.