September 17, 2024

Opposition arose against plan for huge chicken farm in Sineu, Spain

The plan for a huge chicken farm in Sineu, Spain, has run up against considerable opposition.

A town hall there has issued a negative report while Greenpeace said that the future farm would be the most polluting in Spain.

The plan envisages up to 750,000 chickens. An estimate for the annual water consumption is around the equivalent of 25 Olympic-size swimming pools. The Balearic government's water resources department has yet to produce a report; however, government reports, in addition to the one by Sineu's town hall, have been unfavourable so far.

The latest report by the natural environment directorate has highlighted issues such as the impact on local fauna, contamination, and transmission of diseases.

The land for the futyrw farm includes a protected area of holm oak. The environmental impact study stated that part of the woods which would be used by the chickens has habitats for red kites, booted eagles, and falcons. It is also close to two important breeding areas for diurnal bats.

The presence of such a high number of chickens could affect various populations, including that of the Mediterranean tortoise. Diseases could be transmitted to wild birds.

Potential epidemic outbreaks raise environmental health and biosecurity concerns, while the accumulation of chicken droppings could contaminate soil and water.

- Majorca Daily Bulletin