23 June 2011

Animal Welfare charity Compassion in World Farming has speculated that pigs housed at the proposed mega-farm at Foston, Derbyshire would have better welfare than many living in smaller units in the UK and EU. The group said pigs at the factory farm would have welfare standards denied to the majority of indoor-reared pigs in the UK.

Compassion has met with Midlands Pig Producers (MPP), who submitted the proposal for the unit, which would see 2,500 breeding sows and up to 25,000 pigs and piglets kept indoors, to discuss welfare issues. A spokesperson for the group said "These proposed standards offer the potential for the pigs to have a higher quality of life than many of their counterparts in other UK and EU farms."

However, Peter Stevenson, Compassion’s chief policy advisor, was keen to stress that the admission did not represent a paradigm shift. Stevenson said “this doesn't mean to say that we believe mega units are okay."

Many still have economic and environmental reservations. Last month the Environment Agency recommended MPP’s plans be denied permission, stating they pose an unacceptable risk of pollution.

The Soil Association, which was served a libel warning by solicitors representing Midlands Pig Producers in January, are holding a public meeting to discuss the proposal tonight (23rd June) at Burton on Trent Town Hall. The association says it is concerned that, if built, the Foston mega-farm could impact negatively upon human health, in terms of antibiotic resistance and disease, the environment and pig producers, who are already struggling.