On 16th February 2011, Nocton Dairies withdrew their controversial plans for a ‘mega-dairy’ in Nocton, Lincolnshire.

The period in which formal objections to the planning application could be submitted closed on 11 January 2011.

There has been a fantastic response with over 11,000 objections received in total.

Compassion in World Farming has applied for the decision about the fate of the proposed mega-dairy in Nocton to be taken out of the hands of the North Kesteven District Council and placed in the hands of national government.

Dozens of politicians have shown they back the campaign against industrialised dairy farming by signing an ‘Early Day Motion’ in the House of Commons. So far more than 140 MPs (and counting!) have put their names against the motion supporting Compassion's campaign against the proposed mega-dairy in Nocton.

A ‘secret’ press conference launched new plans for the Nocton ‘mega-dairy’ in Lincolnshire yesterday. New plans for the UK’s biggest factory dairy farm were kept under strict embargo until today. Although the proprietors of Nocton Dairies Ltd promised significant changes...

Compassion in World Farming would like to thank all of its supporters for helping us to raise much more than our hoped for £3,000 to place adverts on buses in Lincolnshire encouraging the communities surrounding Nocton Heath to oppose proposals for a 'mega-dairy.'

Over 50 UK MPs joined Compassion in World Farming on 26th October 2010 to learn more about the threat of 'mega-dairies' entering the UK.

The proposed construction of the UK's largest dairy farm poses a giant threat to animal welfare...

Compassion in World Farming reveals that those behind the proposed ‘mega-dairy’ farm in Lincolnshire have applied for public money and stated that without it, both animal welfare and environmental standards on the farm will be lowered.

Jay Rayner’s article, “Big agriculture is the only option to stop the world going hungry,” (The Observer, 12th September) reports that the dairy farmers the author has spoken to do not see animal welfare as an issue in the kind of ‘super dairy’ proposed at Nocton Heath.

Compassion in World Farming strongly disagrees with the recent assertion by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) suggesting that dairy cows housed all year round with little or no access to grazing or kept in large herds can have satisfactory welfare.

Compassion in World Farming is currently fighting plans for a so-called 'mega dairy' to be built in Nocton, Lincolnshire. The proposed dairy would house over 8,000 cows indoors in cubicles with only very limited time to graze outdoors.

On Wednesday 7th July on BBC 2 at 20:00 a documentary entitled The Private Life of Cows will see presenter Jimmy Doherty investigating the feelings and behaviours of cows. He will be looking into aspects such as the hierarchy of a herd and what underlies their commonly seen behaviours.

The plans for the South Witham Dairy had given rise to widespread objections from local residents, politicians and animal welfare organisations, coming hot on the heels of plans for the 8,000-cow Nocton Heath Dairy, which have been temporarily withdrawn.

Compassion in World Farming strongly disagrees with the recent assertion by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) suggesting that dairy cows housed all year round with little or no access to grazing or kept in large herds can have satisfactory welfare.


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We are the leading farm animal welfare charity

Compassion in World Farming was founded in 1967 by a British dairy farmer who became horrified by the development of modern, intensive factory farming. Farm animal welfare and wellbeing is at the heart of all we do and all we do is founded on scientific fact.

Today we campaign peacefully to end all cruel factory farming practices. These systems impose suffering on billions of farm animals reared for food around the world every year.

We believe that the biggest cause of animal cruelty on the planet deserves a focused, specialised approach – so we only work on farm animal welfare.

Our passion for our work is supported by hard evidence and fact. These areas underpin all our campaigns and make us the leading experts in our field.

  • We carry out extensive research on farm animal welfare and are closely involved with a number of educational establishments.
  • Our investigations unit often works undercover in dangerous situations to expose the dirty secrets of intensive farming.
  • Our Food Business team challenges the food industry to promote welfare improvements and provides concise consumer information.

Some of our achievements

  • Veal crates: Banned in UK & Europe
    In 1987, the UK government voted to phase out cruel veal crates for calves following a court case and campaign from Compassion in World Farming. The ban came into place in the UK in 1990. Six years later, continued pressure from us also resulted in legislation to ban on veal crates across Europe from 2007. Because of this campaign, veal crates are now outlawed in all countries in the EU.

  • Sow stalls: Banned in UK & Europe
    Following years of campaigning, In 1991 the UK government introduced legislation to phase out sow tethers and sow-stalls (gestation crates) by 1999. In 2001, Compassion also achieved an EU-wide ban – this will take effect from 2013.

  • Barren battery cages: Banned in UK & Europe
    In 1999, against all the odds, the EU agreed to ban barren battery cages for laying hens from 2012. Hailed by many as the single biggest victory for animal welfare in recent history, Compassion is now working tirelessly to ensure the ban comes into force as agreed. In 2007, the UK government stated the ban would be enforced in the UK despite continued opposition from many in the egg industry and many EU member states.

  • Live exports: An end to subsidies
    In 2005, the export subsidies for EU farmers transporting live cattle to the Middle East were eliminated. Compassion in World Farming continues to fight for a maximum journey time of eight hours to be endorsed by EU Agriculture Ministers.

However, there are still many challenges we face if we are to realise our vision of a world where all farm animals are treated with compassion and respect and where cruel factory farming practices end.

If you agree with us that farm animals should not and need not suffer, please consider supporting us today .

You will literally help us improve the lives of billions.