THE looming threat of MEGA-Dairies
If the Nocton Dairies planning application had been approved, Lincolnshire would have been home to a so-called mega-dairy: thousands of cows, confined in giant sheds and milked three times a day.
Now more than ever, intensive dairies seem like a huge step backwards. The EU ban on barren battery cages is enshrined in law on 1st January 2012, changing the lives of millions of hens. Yet in the UK we are at risk of seeing the factory farming of cows develop on an unprecedented scale.
Our challenge continues
News of Nocton Dairies’ proposal provoked widespread opposition from local residents, politicians and animal welfare organisations including Compassion in World Farming.
As a result, the application was eventually withdrawn – but our challenge continues. Every new proposal increases the risk to traditional dairy farming. We cannot let even one of these ‘US-style mega-dairies’ into our country – once we let one in there will be no going back.
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Top 5 reasons why Intensive dairies are a bad idea
The cows would be indoor milking machines, rarely allowed out to graze
Bred for very high milk yields, these cows are at higher risk of lameness, loss of body condition and infertility
Traditional dairy farmers are likely to go out of business, unable to compete
The countryside will be devastated with huge sheds and daily HGV intrusions
Pig and chicken factory farms already spell disaster for animals, people and the planet. Widescale factory farming of dairy cows would be a further step in the wrong direction.
Nocton Dairies was not an isolated threat
There is a very real danger that this US-style intensive farming could represent the future for our countryside, and the implications are alarming and far reaching
Factory farming aims to produce more for less: sentient animals are crammed, caged and confined in small spaces, deprived of fresh air and susceptible to illness and disease.
Large-scale developments like Nocton Dairies also pose a significant threat to rural life and the livelihoods of other farmers. One 8,000-cow dairy could ultimately lead to the closure of up to 100 traditional UK dairy farms. And finally, on a wider scale, industrial farming raises serious environmental and human health concerns.
For animals, people and the planet we must find another way.
Objecting to planning applications
If you know of another factory farm being planned near you, as a local resident you can make a difference by submitting an objection to your local authority.
Click here for details of how to oppose planning applications.