After around 100 protesters gathered in Derby over the weekend remonstrating against its proposals, Midlands Pig Producers (MPP), the company behind the highly controversial Foston Pig Farm has hit out at what it calls "misleading" claims about its plans.

MPP proposes to build a large-scale pig farm at a site near Foston, Derbyshire, which would see up to 25,000 pigs being kept indoors year round. The proposals have been met with stiff opposition from the local community, animal welfare groups and the Soil Association.

On Saturday (13th August) protesters marched through Derby. The demonstrators campaigning against MPP’s plans gave a variety of reasons for their objections, ranging from impact on infrastructure and odour in the area to concerns over animal welfare and the potential risks to human health.

Groups involved in the campaign against the Foston proposals also claim such large-scale farms will destroy traditional farming practices and potentially damage the environment. However, MPP rejects these claims. The company has finished giving extra information to Derbyshire County Council as part of the planning process, which it said addressed concerns about animal welfare and emissions.

The Environment Agency (EA) submitted an objection in May, after the proposals were withdrawn from the local council and resubmitted when it was decided the"substantial waste management" involved made it a County Council consideration. The Agency opined "In this case, we consider that the proposed development may pose an unacceptable risk of causing a detrimental impact to groundwater quality." The agency objected to the proposals because it said the risk posed was significant, although MPP responded that it would address the EA’s concerns.

A spokesperson for MPP said today, "We are astonished at some of the highly misleading claims and accusations. Claims that pigs will be crammed into narrow crates are simply not true. We urge people to either contact us, or refer to the planning application so that they may ascertain the facts of the matter for themselves."

The company said animal welfare was its "top priority" and assured that "our plans are to the highest possible specification." It has promised to address the ‘misleading’ information it says is circulating about the proposals. A decision is expected from Derbyshire County Council in the Autumn.