Mink stink makes Heart's Delight miserable, farmer told

People living near a mink farm in eastern Newfoundland say the stench in their midst is so strong, they avoid going outdoors.

At the Viking Furs Mink Farm in Heart's Content, the air ispungent with the smell of manure and raw chicken entrails.

Mason Welsh, who owns adjacent land, had plans to develop the property but has dropped them because of the stench.

"The mink farm can stay there, if they [do] something about the smell," Welsh told CBC News.

"It ruins it. You can't do anything around, you can't bring anyone around because the first interpretation you get is, 'Oh, your community stinks.' But it's because of the mink farm."

Beverley Canning, who lives near the farm, said the smell is ruining her quality of life.

"My house is white, and sometimes it's totally black with flies. That's how it's affected us, [and] the smell is worse than anything else."

Farm owner Peter Noer acknowledges there's a bad smell, but he doesn't think he and his business are bad neighbours.

"If people want to create something out in rural Newfoundland, there's going to be some effects to it," he told CBC News.

"Regardless ifit's a fish plant, a mink farm, a dairy farm, whatever it is, if there's big industry out there, you have smoke, you have dust [and] there will be issues."

Residents told CBC News they are planning to raise the issue with the Newfoundland and Labrador government.