The Environment Agency has withdrawn its objection to the highly controversial large-scale pig farm which Midlands Pig Producers (MPP) plan to build in Foston, Derbyshire. MPP submitted proposals in March for a 30-acre facility in Foston which would hold 2,500 sows, 22,000 piglets and a biogas plant. The proposals have been met with staunch opposition from locals, animal rights campaigners and environmentalists. image expired

The Environment Agency initially objected to the plans in May over concerns about water pollution but said it was satisfied with information supplied by MPP that this was no longer such a serious risk. A spokesperson said, "The additional information clarifies that the substances to be stored and processed underground are classed as ‘pollutants’ rather than ‘hazardous’ under the Water Framework Directive.

"The information sets out how the risks posed to ‘Controlled Waters’ by the underground facility will be mitigated by appropriate construction methodologies and monitoring."

However, the agency did provide some caveats to its withdrawal; the withdrawal of its objection is conditional on certain conditions being met on limiting surface water run-off and protecting against flooding. Furthermore, the awarding of an Environmental Permit, for which the agency is also responsible, could yet cause problems for MPP. The EA stipulated the grounds on which a permit would be awarded were outside the remit of the consultation but advised MPP to "liaise directly with our National Permitting team"

The agency stated, "Local views will be sought as part of the permitting process and given the extreme proximity of some receptor dwellings the proposed mitigation measures for noise, vibration, odour and light will need to reviewed and updated."

There is a debate within the farming industry itself over whether scaling up and industrialising farming is beneficial or dangerous. The Soil Association has joined with other countryside campaigning groups in calling for more traditional husbandry to be praised above such large scale units, although their calls have sparked drawn fire from the NFU. The groups opposing the Foston development also believe mega-farms such as Foston and the ill-fated Nocton Dairy proposals, planning for which was withdrawn earlier in the year, would put smaller farmers out of business and spark a ‘race to the bottom’ for prices.

The plans are still under consideration by Derbyshire County Council. A date has not yet been given for a final announcement on the application, though a decision is expected to be reached later this year.