• Germany edition
Photo: DPA

Oniony pig farts legal, court rules

Published: 22 Dec 11 10:29 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20111222-39675.html

A court in the northern German town of Osnabrück has ruled that a farmer is allowed to feed his pigs vast quantities of raw onions, despite complaints from neighbours about their eye-watering gaseous emissions.

The farmer has been feeding his 1,500 pigs several cubic metres of onions every week for the past 14 years, but city authorities ordered him to stop, and threatened to fine him €2,500, after locals complained of the resulting pungent porcine farts.

The council justified its decision on the grounds that planning permission for the pigsty forbade “strong-smelling foods, e.g. kitchen waste.”

But the court overturned the decision, saying that the city council had imposed the penalty on the assumption that the onions were to blame for the stink without providing sufficient evidence.

According to the court’s statement, the court called in an expert witness on “emissions control,” who testified that “onions did not count as strong-smelling foods, because they are untreated organic raw materials that have not decomposed.”

There was no indication, however, that the expert lived near the farm.

But the legal procedure has not been exhausted on this noxious issue. Onions could still be banned as pig food, if the council proves they are responsible for the distinctive farts.

The farmer has not been named, to protect his identity, but he is reportedly easy to find in a favourable wind.

The Local/bk

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

12:17 December 22, 2011 by MVOwens
Thanks for the Christmas humor!
12:38 December 22, 2011 by storymann
Really, I can not believe that anyone would make the complaint about a pig farm smelling.
14:43 December 22, 2011 by XFYRCHIEF
I don't know which story is funnier - this one, or the German court ruling "Kiss my ass" is an insult! And I really thought there were more important issues in the world. Now we need the court to rule if "Kiss my pig's ass" is an insult.
16:45 December 22, 2011 by lucksi
Comment removed by The Local for breach of our terms.
17:02 December 22, 2011 by blatus
@lucksi: Hilarious!
08:53 December 23, 2011 by Englishted
Who is the cutie with the ear stud?
10:15 December 23, 2011 by susan54
I live about 2 km away from this pig farm, and it's not a joke. In the summer you have to keep your windows closed, the smell of onions AND garlick is disgusting. You have to smell it to believe it!!!
16:21 December 23, 2011 by XFYRCHIEF
@englishted - Funny! When I first saw the picture I thought the pigs had an extra eye in their ear!

I wonder if the pig meat tastes like onions and garlic? Pre-seasoned pork!

susan54 - we were on holiday in Scotland and passed a farm using liquid manure (pig poop) - spraying it on their fields. We all were sickened by the smell. Can't imagine day after day...
18:48 December 23, 2011 by mikel taylor
Susan54 ,, who was there first you or the pig farm, it's kinda like people who complain about the noise when they move close to the airport.
21:57 December 23, 2011 by quiller
XFYRCHIEF - You can only spread slurry (pig poop) at certain times of the year. The ground has to be dry to avoid getting the slurry into the water table. The taste from a glass of water with a splash of slurry is an acquired taste. Country children never suffer from asthma as the whiff of slurry clears the bronichal tubes.

As regards the dear little porkers - I find this difficult to believe. Genetically speaking we are close to porkers. If we are that close genetically, I do not see the problem as it is a family (in the broad sense) relationship. It grows on you after about 100 years.
22:00 December 24, 2011 by Flint
I can't imagine how adding onions could make a pig farm smell any worse.
22:26 December 24, 2011 by Aasvogel
Bacon and onion crisps, anyone?
05:41 December 25, 2011 by PierceArrow
Scatology does give me a big laugh, but I do wonder how that farmer gets the money for all those onions! They must cost a lot more than regular pig feed.

Also, IMHO any farmer or feedlot with that much livestock should be required to process the poop into biofuel ASAP, instead of leaving the poop on the ground to foul the air and contaminate the groundwater!
23:42 December 27, 2011 by greatgerman
Thats what germans are they are more bothered about the neighbours cooking eating and the way they fart and even weren´t hesitated to smell the taste of their neighbours farting.

I have seen many of the germans doing so rather than checking their own farting... eating the same pig everyday in their daily life.

Poor.... feel pity on them...Thats the only thing they can do in their whole life time as being Germans. Smelling the neighbours fart.....
17:03 December 30, 2011 by yuri_nahl
It could be away of killing off pig intestinal parasites . Onions and garlic bump off worms.

I had worms, then I ate a big dose of garlic and , viola...no worms!
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Expanding drone fleet raises privacy concerns

Germany's armed forces and police currently operate 331 high-tech drones inside and outside the country, and the government intends to swell the fleet, according to a media report that has alarmed civil rights advocates. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Milder weather on the way for the weekend

Spring is coming ever closer in Germany, as mild temperatures and light rain are forecasted for the next few days. But nights will remain frosty in the south, the German Weather Service (DWD) reported. READ »

Photo: DPA

Obama praises Merkel’s euro crisis leadership

Despite plenty of transatlantic tensions over the eurozone debt crisis, US President Barack Obama phoned German Chancellor Angela Merkel to congratulate her on concluding a new Greek bailout deal. READ (10 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Frankfurt Airport workers halt strike for talks

Frankfurt Airport's tarmac traffic controllers have called off their five-day strike after the company that runs Germany's largest air hub offered to negotiate over their wage demands. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Defrocked, defrauded: man cons abusive bishop

A 29-year-old German man has been charged with conning Walter Mixa, a former Catholic bishop who resigned following child abuse allegations, out of nearly €5,000. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Germany told to stop sex offender castration

The Council of Europe's anti-torture committee on Wednesday urged Germany to abolish the surgical castration of sex offenders, warning that the operation could amount to "degrading treatment." READ (17 COMMENTS) »

Have Your Say
Photo: DPA

Can Gauck be president 'while living in sin?'

Germans generally agree that Joachim Gauck is a good choice for president. But can the ex-pastor be the nation's moral authority while staying married to one woman yet living with another set to become First Lady? Have your say. READ (11 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Internet 'scammer' freed in surprise move

Megaupload.com boss Kim Dotcom was freed on bail in a surprise move Wednesday, after a New Zealand judge dismissed fears he would flee the country to escape US online piracy charges. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

More Society
Highlights
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
The Local’s media roundup surveys opinion on Joachim Gauck’s ascension to the German presidency
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Can't understand Cologne's traditional drinking songs being sung by Karneval revellers? A German-American couple has published translations in English.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
President Christian Wulff's resignation may be quickly forgotten, but Chancellor Angela Merkel’s poor judgement will remain, writes The Local’s Marc Young.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
The boozy zaniness of Karneval isn't just for Catholics from the Rhineland. Who needs naked Samba dancers in Rio when you have drunk Germans in clown suits in Cologne, right?
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
What's on in Germany: February 16 - 22
Photo: Dreamworks Studios, War Horse
LIFESTYLE »
Find the latest movies in English playing in Germany with The Local's cinema guide.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
Should people without children pay more taxes to help shore up Germany's social security system? Have your say.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Sabine Devins tackles immunisations and baby pharmaceuticals in the latest instalment of Motherhood in the Fatherland.
Photo: Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain
LIFESTYLE »
What's on in Germany: February 9 - 15
Photo: Vocalex
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Extend your German vocabulary with Vocalex
Photo ECLA
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A truly international education at the heart of Berlin
Photo: Bavarian International School
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A global education - a Bavarian community



See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Jobs in Germany, in English

1248 jobs available
700 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Latest news from The Local in Sweden

More news from Sweden at thelocal.se

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
News from DeutschlandOnline

Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
English-speaking educators (native level)

Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!