Terrible smell from a feed factory, a committee against "olfactory harassment" in Trier: "Impossible to open the windows"

In the small town of Treviglio, located in the province of Bergamo, residents have been grappling with a severe odor problem emanating from a nearby animal feed factory. The issue has led to the formation of a community committee dedicated to addressing what they describe as "olfactory nuisances." For over a month, the Ecb Saria Group facility on Via Calvenzano has been releasing strong and unpleasant smells, making it nearly impossible for neighbors to open their windows without being affected by the odor. This situation has significantly impacted the quality of life for many residents, particularly the elderly and families who cannot afford air conditioning. The factory produces semi-finished products derived from animal by-products from poultry slaughter, which under high temperatures during recent weeks have emitted intense and persistent odors. According to reports from Corriere di Bergamo, these emissions are becoming increasingly stronger and more nauseating, compromising the livability of domestic environments. Residents find themselves forced to keep their windows closed, limiting their ability to enjoy fresh air and exacerbating health concerns among vulnerable populations. Carmelo Ilardo, an ex-syndicalist from the Cgil union and spokesperson for the "Treviglio Respira" committee, highlighted the severity of the issue during an interview with Corriere di Bergamo. He noted that the committee, formed specifically to address this problem, held its second meeting at the trattoria Makallè, one of the local businesses affected by the strong smell. The meeting took place a month after the first assembly, following which no response had been received from the company, which was founded in 1966 by Lorenzo and Franco Bergamini and later acquired by the German firm SARIA International GmbH in 2017. According to the committee's records, there were 351 complaints from 161 individuals in just June alone, spanning 29 days out of 30. Approximately sixty participants attended the assembly, where they entrusted attorney Angelo Maestroni with initiating legal actions aimed at protecting residents and local business owners, including restaurateurs at the Fiera Nuova fair such as the trattoria Makallè. The initial step involves sending formal notices to relevant authorities regarding inspections and permits, including the municipal council, provincial administration, and APRAs. Ilardo explained that attorney Maestroni would then request access to documents at these entities to verify what has been done and what remains undone, potentially leading to filing a complaint with the prosecutor’s office. To cover legal costs, a fund has been established, supported directly by citizens, although the committee emphasizes that the responsibility should lie with the company and institutions to resolve the issue. Local administration has also commented on the matter, acknowledging the frustration of citizens and recognizing the unsustainable nature of the situation affecting the quality of life in the city. Mayor Juri Imeri stated that the municipality understands the citizens' anger because they are the first to notice and report the distressing condition. However, he emphasized that they are not engaging in blame-shifting with other entities but rather insisting on immediate and decisive action. The administration has received a chemical-olfactometric report prepared by the Polytechnic of Milan on behalf of the company, which will analyze the situation through its staff and consultants. In addition to continuing monitoring complaints and checks carried out by the local police, a criminal investigation followed last summer. The sustainability environment assessor, Michele Bornaghi, mentioned that the province has accepted the request for further technical discussions and, given the report from the Polytechnic, has scheduled a meeting in the coming days. The administration continues to push for urgent measures to address the ongoing issue.