Factory mega farming – a call for your help in Stow Bedon

In the quest for cheap meat and bigger profits, we have seen the rise of extensive intensive factory farm applications within the UK, and Norfolk itself.

Animal welfare falls to the bottom of the list in this industrial approach, but whilst this is a priority concern, the animals themselves are not the only victims. A startling fact is that 85% of farmed animals in the UK are held in factory conditions.

Local communities suffer too

Heavy lorries on unsuitable lanes, noise, and air pollution from ammonia, fine particles, organic dust and bioaerosols. These emissions can damage lungs and sensitive habitats, while huge volumes of manure and dirty water create further risks to land and waterways.

The financial argument

The argument goes that this American approach to animal farming is necessary to help meet demand and secure our future food security.

However that is simply not true.

The fact is a huge amount of this factory produced meat is exported, so plays no role in our own food security.

Does the animal welfare, community and environmental cost of shaving a few pence off chicken, pork or beef make the approach worthwhile? The thought of serving up Scottish Atlantic Salmon which are reputedly covered with sea lice is hardly appealing. And yet we face a rash of applications for factory farms right across the UK.

Farms are of course part of our rural heritage, with farmers being a vital part of our rural communities. These mega farms threaten small farms, and play no part in the rural scene, being blots on the landscape as well.

Factory farming in Stow Bedon

We are not immune from animal factory farming in Norfolk. The Cranswick owned Cherry Tree Farm at Stow Bedon has been the subject of considerable local concern.

Retrospective planning proposals for the site were refused by the local planning authority, but Cranswick is appealing that decision. The village community is continuing to oppose the development and will be represented at the public inquiry into the planning appeal in September.

Cranswick plc says that Cherry Tree Farm, with capacity for almost 7,000 pigs, employs just three people. That is a strikingly small number of jobs for an industrial-scale development of this size, particularly when set against the impact that such a large operation can have on the surrounding rural community, local roads and environment.

The question therefore has to be asked: if developments of this scale bring so few local jobs, who really benefits from their continued expansion?

What you can do to help

1. Stay up to date with the campaign

For the most up-to-date information about the Cherry Tree Farm campaign, please visit the Chuffed page

Further background information about Cherry Tree Farm and the campaign can also be found on the CAFF website

You can read more about the issues in this EDP article

2. Donate towards the campaign

Even a small donation counts towards the cost of legal and expert representation at the public planning inquiry in September.

Every contribution will help the village community ensure that its case can be properly heard.

3. Share your views with the local MP

The local MP is George Freeman, and if you would like to share your views with him, you can contact him at george.freeman.mp@parliament.uk