In these procedures, he said, recurring irregularities were detected, such as the lack of environmental impact authorization and the absence of permits for the discharge of wastewaterin many cases discharged without prior treatment.
Since 2022, we have carried out 30 inspection visits to reported pig farms, and one of the common themes we identified is that they do not have environmental impact authorization or concession titles for the discharge of wastewater.
Mariana Boy.
The official also explained that the extent of the impacts has been documented for several years. He recalled that in 2023, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) published the “Environmental Diagnostic Opinion of the Pig Activity in Yucatán”in which they identified 507 farms in operation and the main environmental effects of this industry were detailed.
“This document provides an account of the environmental impacts generated by pig farming, especially when it is poorly managed, and in a very particular way, the impacts on groundwater, which in Yucatan is extremely vulnerable due to its highly permeable karst soil,” he explained.
(Photo: Cuartoscuro)
Boy stressed that, based on citizen and community complaints, Profepa opened dozens of administrative files.
In several cases, he added, “the discharges are made without permission and without prior treatment, which aggravates the risk for the aquifer.”
The attorney recognized that these practices acquire a critical dimension in a state where there are no surface rivers and all the water for human consumption comes from the subsoil.
“Groundwater is an asset under federal jurisdiction and, in the case of Yucatán, we are talking about a highly interconnected system, where any contaminant can disperse quickly,” he warned.
One of the most advanced files, he noted, is that of the pig farm located in the Mayan community of Santa María Chí, which was completely and definitively closed in September 2025 after repeatedly failing to comply with the corrective measures imposed by the environmental authority.
“We identified that the farm was discharging wastewater illegally, that is, without having a discharge permit. From the first visit it was ordered to suspend these practices, but the company continued discharging illegally, and that was what motivated the final total closure,” Boy explained.
He specified that this resolution implies the definitive closure of the production unit and the progressive withdrawal of the animals.
“The company can no longer operate and has to remove all the pigs from the site. There is an approved calendar in the administrative procedure and the deadline is April of this year. Profepa is going to make periodic visits to verify that the monthly removal of the specimens is complied with,” he indicated.
In case of non-compliance, he warned, new sanctioning procedures will be initiated. Regarding inter-institutional coordination, the attorney recognized that for years there were gaps and confusion in the application of environmental regulations.
“There are environmental impact authorizations issued by the state government and others that, due to the environmental conditions of Yucatán, had to be evaluated by the Federation. Part of the work we have done is to organize these powers, because it is an area of high environmental vulnerability,” he explained.
In this context, he announced that Profepa and the government of Yucatan are working on an agreement to establish a joint strategy to address the problems of pig farms.
“We are agreeing on which issues should be evaluated by the state and which by the Federation, to avoid omissions and ensure effective surveillance.”
Mariana Boy.
Finally, Mariana Boy emphasized that economic development cannot be separated from environmental protection or human rights. “The first and most important thing is to guarantee that all the pork units that operate in Yucatán today comply with environmental regulations and respect the human rights of the communities,” he said.
He added that Profepa will continue to work closely with the affected towns. “Our commitment is an open, transparent and participatory process with the communities, who are the guardians and defenders of the territory. Without respect for water and the environment, we cannot speak of sustainable development,” he concluded.
Between October 2024 and June 2025, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (Profepa) reported that it imposed sanctions on 13 pork companies, for an amount of 14.24 million pesosdue to non-compliance with environmental regulations.
