Federal Authorities Shut Down Yucatan Pig Farm After Inspectors Denied Access

Chocholá, Yucatán — Federal environmental authorities have ordered the closure of a large pig farm in Yucatán after farm staff blocked inspectors attempting to conduct an environmental review.

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency sealed the Granja Porcícola Gary facility in Chocholá municipality, located near populated areas. The inspection was requested by the organization Somos Agua following complaints about potential environmental damage, particularly concerning air quality and protection of the region’s aquifer.

The farm, which houses approximately 12,000 pigs, has faced complaints from local residents for several years. Neighbors have reported persistent strong odors and expressed concerns about potential impacts on groundwater, the area’s primary water source.

Community members conducted laboratory tests on groundwater samples, which reportedly detected elevated levels of coliform bacteria—microorganisms associated with fecal contamination that can pose health risks.

Residents subsequently requested intervention from multiple environmental agencies, including Yucatán’s Sustainable Development Secretariat, the federal Environment and Natural Resources Secretariat, the National Water Commission, and the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change, to assess potential damage and determine responsibility.

The closure comes amid growing public concern about the effects of pig farming on the Yucatán Peninsula’s water system, where groundwater is crucial for human consumption.

Residents of Chocholá, located about 40 kilometers from Mérida, await further investigation to determine whether the farm might resume operations under new conditions or face permanent closure.