By unlocking the export potential China offers the pig industry, not to mention the red meat sector as a whole, we could gain entry into a marketplace which comprises a fifth of the world’s population.WSPA continues campaign against Nocton 'super dairy'
MPs and campaigners gathered at a reception in the Houses of Parliament last night (Tuesday) to express their concerns at plans to build an 8,100-cow dairy unit in Lincolnshire.
The event, organised by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), was attended by 51 MPs, including the environmentalist Zach Goldsmith.
WSPA chief executive Mike Baker said the UK was ‘on the front line of the global trend towards farm intensification’ and urged campaigners and MPs to oppose intensive dairy farms and their British vanguard - Nocton Dairies.
The farmers behind the Nocton dairy withdrew their initial proposal earlier this year but are expected to resubmit improved plans later in the year. They say they will address all animal welfare and environmental concerns in their new plans.
But Philip Lymbery, chief executive of Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), said projects such as Nocton would ‘turn the screw on hard pressed family farms’.
Neil Darwent, a Somerset dairy farmer with a herd of 400 dairy cows, also spoke out against Nocton.
“I am a farmer and have no wish to cause trouble for fellow farmers. But I believe farming and food production has becoming too concerned with creating short term profits rather than securing a truly sustainable source of food for our nation.
“The drive for perceived efficiency is exhausting our cows and our farmers,” he said.
MPs at the reception were also urged to support Robert Flello’s Sustainable Livestock Bill, which opposes projects such as Nocton, which has its second reading on November 12th.
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Readers' comments (11)
eryl jones | 27 October 2010 3:39 pm
I'm a farmer against Nocton but I have to say it smacks of hypocrisy someone milking 400 cows being critical. Someone milking 70-80 cows is a dairy farmer, 400 cows is factory farming. 8000 is just a bigger factory
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Anonymous | 27 October 2010 3:46 pm
There is no place in today's world for yesterday's men.
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John Lawson | 27 October 2010 4:57 pm
My heart (and soul) is with you Eryl Jones, but my head is with Somerset dairy farmer Neil Darwent. Good dairy farmers need to unite against the Nocton proposal, but to alienate famers of four hundred cows won't help.
Only recently on this site I read how a family are doing ok with 75 cows. How encouraging and I hope we can hear more about family dairy farms of this size making it and looking to the future whilst maintaining their smaller herd sizes.
The UK dairy industry should be looking to long-term security for its suppliers and customers with sustainability at the heart of it all. A 'herd ceiling' to maximise the amounts of cows kept on one farm is sure to raise an arguement, but in the interests of cow and human welfare, competition and sustainability I feel it's an area worth looking at to protect the long-term future of our dairy farmers.
As far as the need to create an 8100 cow dairy farm in the UK is highly questionable. What is it for and who does it really serve for the better?
The super-sized American way is only bigger, not better. UK dairy farmers do not need to look to them (the Americans) for inspiration.
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Anonymous | 28 October 2010 8:35 am
RE: no place for yesterday's men - true, so stop misusing animals full stop. Go vegan.
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eryl jones | 28 October 2010 8:50 am
re. anonymous 3.46. Wow! did you think up that comment all on your own? Are you staying anonymous because you are afraid that others may try and steal your great reserve of earth shattering, conversation stopping pearls of wisdom? Read a lot of Oscar Wilde do you? (to save you switching to wikipedia, Oscar Wilde was a 19th century playwrite and wit).
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NXF | 28 October 2010 11:42 pm
Having seen the story in the magazine i thaught it wrong that this partnership and its superfarm be allowed to happen. Thats far to much money for just two people to have from such a large farm. It is obvious that greed is the reason for such a monsterous development. Not to mention the cruelty that could begin. It is obviously unfair on other farmers , british farm workers and locals for this blatently arrogant super "con" to be built. IT MUST NOT HAPPEN that this seed of greed be allowed to take root.
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Anonymous | 31 October 2010 4:18 pm
I think its great, to have enormous cow farms bustling with staff. Perhaps bigger dairy units would be better, perhaps even a multistorey cow shed with a lift !
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Anonymous | 2 November 2010 6:14 pm
I would like to be more active in supporting farmers who are against factory farming
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eryl jones | 3 November 2010 1:02 pm
anon. 6.14 2nd nov.
there are many, many of us out there but unfortunately everything is stacked against us. Just to give one example. When trading standards or cattle movements or any one else decides on a spot visit they pick on small farmers Why? because they have to do so many visits a day and it doesnt matter if you keep 10 animals or 3000, it still counts as one visit. Things like EID and TB testing cost us far more per head than factory farms andthere is absolutely no political will to change it.
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Anonymous | 19 December 2010 1:02 am
If you disagree with the mega farms, sign this petition going to Tony McArdle, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire County Council, all councillors in Lincolnshire and North Kesteven District Council:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/factoryfarm#petition
Deadline: 11th January 2011
46111 signatures so far and counting...
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