April 24, 2013

UK food production faces challenges from urbanisation and lobbyists

Growing urbanisation of the British countryside may have adverse effects on local food production, says UK's National Pig Association (NPA).

The association is particularly concerned that even planning applications for traditional part-time pig units are now met with opposition.

Britain has already imported around 60% of its pork products - usually from less welfare-friendly farms. This figure is set to rise unless farmers are encouraged to invest in more efficient and environmentally-friendly buildings.

NPA has identified a growing trend for vegan groups and other single-interest lobby groups to become involved in planning applications, using misinformation to convince residents into opposing replacement pig farms.

"In the past, pig farmers who wanted to build a new pig unit, usually to replace inefficient old buildings, could work constructively with local residents to address any concerns they might have," said NPA general manager, Dr Zoe Davies.

"But now they are being targeted by aggressive single-issue organisations with no local connections."

Since an attempt to build a US-style "super dairy" at Nocton, Lincolnshire, three years ago, vegan groups have opposed all proposed livestock housing developments, describing them as "mega farms" and "factory farms", said the NPA, which highlights the situation as a problem.

There are no "mega" pig farms in Britain and no applications to build any, says NPA. Most pig applications are for modest-sized pig units which will be part of a traditional mixed farm.

The NPA believes that a building for 1,500 finisher pigs falls far short of being a "mega farm".