Abstract

The presence of intensive livestock farming can have an effect on the health of local residents. The Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) have prepared the 'Livestock Farming and Health' guidelines to ensure that the GGDs provide consistent advice on this subject. RIVM is responsible for the coordination of the guidelines.

The guidelines describe the current knowledge base with regard to livestock farming and health. The guidelines also provide input for health-based advice for local residents in various situations. Examples of such situations include the expansion or establishment of livestock farming businesses or the spatial planning of rural areas. Significant public health benefits can be realised through careful consideration of spatial design, specifically when drafting strategies for spatial and environmental planning. Therefore, the Municipal Public Health Services would prefer to be involved in this process at the earliest opportunity.

The Municipal Public Health Services base their advice on two premises. The first is the precautionary principle: exercise restraint with regard to placing vulnerable locations and livestock farms within 250 m of each other (and within 2 km in the case of goat farms). Examples of vulnerable locations are homes, schools, and hospitals. The second premise is to aim to reduce the emissions of odour, particulate matter, endotoxins (components of bacteria), and ammonia by livestock farms.