Published 31/10/2013

Compassion is deeply disappointed to discover that the Powys Mega Dairy that we objected to, has been granted planning permission.

This is despite the fact that the Planning Minister accepts that there are problems with:

• The effect on the character and appearance of the area
• Slurry spreading and disposal of waste water
• The impact on residents of odour, noise and the need for pest control
• Residents' health, including children at the local primary school
• Animal welfare
• Human rights

With 1,000 dairy cows, three large buildings, a fodder storage unit, two slurry stores and a water storage tower, the Planning Minister, Carl Sargeant, has said that the economic benefits outweighed the other considerations. Those considerations include animal welfare, the health of our children and polluting our countryside further.

Philip Lymbery, Compassion's CEO says: "The Planning Minister has said that the economic benefits outweighed the other considerations. Those considerations being animal welfare, being children's' health, being very real environmental concerns.

"This is exactly why factory farming exists: because supposed 'economic benefits' are placed above the negative impacts of intensive farming.

"The Planning Minister misses the point that the short term financial gains of intensive farming will only lead to long term costs - and these costs won't just be financial.

"A planning minister should understand the meaning of 'Sustainable Development'. Ignoring the social and long term economical implications of a mega dairy isn't it."