South Derbyshire District Council votes against mega pig farm by an overwhelming majority

02 November 2011

The Soil Association warmly welcomes last night’s decision [1 Nov] by South Derbyshire District Council (SDDC) to reject Midland Pig Producer’s proposed mega pig farm in Foston, Derbyshire.

Peter Melchett, Soil Association Policy Director, said: "We are pleased that South Derbyshire District Council have listened to concerns about the risks to health this proposal poses, which have been put forward by large numbers of local residents and the Government's independent advisory body on health issues."

We hope that Derbyshire County Council’s final decision, due to take place later this year, will take on board the SDDC’s rejection alongside damning evidence from the Health Protection Agency about the potential risk to public health of the proposed mega pig farm and the views of 13,000 members of the public who have opposed this development. Read the HPA's submission to the consulation in full from p.27.

Expert advice given by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) confirms the detailed scientific review of evidence from around the world, submitted by the Soil Association last year. The Soil Association objected to the proposal on the grounds that the extremely high number of pigs housed in one location may increase the level of disease on the holding and over time that may pose a threat to the health of the local community.

There is still time for members of the public to make their voice heard on the planning proposal. Sign up to the Soil Association’s ‘Not in my Banger’ campaign and find details of how to write to the council regarding this proposal. 

For more detail on the Health Protection Agency's human health concerns regarding the proposed mega pig farm in Derbyshire’  read this Soil Association news item.