Here is an update on the campaign to save the UK from the 'Mega Farms' that are trying to get a foothold in this country. This is the latest newsletter from Emma Hockridge, of the Soil Association.
First of all we want to say a huge thank you to all our supporters who responded so generously to our Not in my banger appeal this year. The donations you made have helped us step up the fight against the threat of vast factory farms. Thanks to your support we were able to successfully challenge the legal threat that we faced earlier this year and to go on campaigning against the proposed mega pig farm in Foston.
A reminder . . .
Midland Pig Producers submitted a planning application to build a mega pig unit in Foston, Derbyshire, for 2,500 sows and 20,000 piglets. The Soil Association made a formal objection to the plans based on the threat we believe this type of farming system can pose to human health. Read the full objection here.
The objections increase
The Health Protection Agency have their say. The Health Protection Agency have also voiced strong concerns about the potential risk to public health that the proposed industrial-scale farm raises. Read details of the HPA's evidence here.
South Derbyshire County Council say "no"
We warmly welcomed the decision by South Derbyshire District Council to overwhelmingly reject the proposed plans for the mega farm. We now await the final decision on the proposal which Derbyshire County Council is expected to announce in the next couple of months. Read more on this development here.
What can you do to help?
If you haven't already objected to the mega pig farm in Foston it's not too late. Visit our website to find out how to submit your own objection to Derbyshire County Council.
Your donations help us make sure our voice gets heard when it matters most. Donate to the Not in my banger campaign today.
We bring you some hard-hitting research
The Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics (founded by the Soil Association, Sustain and Compassion in World Farming) have launched a hard-hitting report 'Case Study of a Health Crisis'. The report found an alarming rise in new farm ‘superbugs’, particularly MRSA and E. coli, being passed on to humans. The report links the rise to the fact that nearly 50% of all antibiotics are used in farming, and argues that one of the fundamental causes of food and animal-related antibiotic resistance is factory farming. This report reinforces our case that industrial-scale farming units, like the one being proposed at Foston, pose a potential serious threat to human health. Read more here. See our expert Richard Young talk about the issues on BBC's Countryfile here (8 mins 34 secs in).
What makes a happy pig?
Soil Association organic pigs spend all, or almost all, of their lives out of doors, never have their tails cut off, and are free to root and dig in the soil. Organic sows (mother pigs) are never confined in metal crates or on bare concrete floors when they give birth.
With many thanks for your continued support on this vital issue,
Emma Hockridge
Head of Policy
The Soil Association is the UK's leading membership charity campaigning
for healthy, humane and sustainable food, farming and land use.
Support our work by becoming a member from just £2 a month.
http://www.soilassociation.org/notinmybanger/supportourappeal
Registered charity no: 206862
