RFA Lao’s persistent reporting about a processing plant for Chinese pearl barley in Oudomxay has resulted in a reduction in the amount of smoke and dust being emitted from the plant. The move came after the Department of Natural Resources and Environment inspected the plant following complaints by residents about the issue. RFA’s Lao Service had broadcast many stories about the plant in Oudomxay, with the latest report airing on March 29th, in which an official in the Department who said his office planned to inspect the plant soon. An RFA reporter followed up on April 6th and an official said the issue had been resolved, noting that if the problem happened again, residents could report it to an environmental official.