Charities join forces to oppose Nocton

Published 15/02/2011

A powerful alliance of well-known charities and NGOs join forces to oppose plans for a 'mega-dairy' in Lincolnshire

North Kesteven District Council (NKDC) is expected to take a decision regarding Nocton Dairies' plans to develop a 'mega-dairy' in Lincolnshire on Tuesday 8th March, 2011.

A powerful alliance of well-known UK charities and non-governmental organisations have joined forces to oppose the plans for a 3,770 cow mega-dairy, where the animals will spend the majority of their lives indoors with little or no access to outdoor grazing.

In an open letter sent to all Councillors at NKDC, the charities, including Compassion in World Farming, 38 Degrees, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Friends of the Earth, the Soil Association and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) have called for the proposals to be rejected.

In this letter, which is also being printed as a full page advert in the Lincolnshire Echo, the Alliance argues that if the mega-dairy goes ahead it would have, "negative repercussions not only locally but nationally and would set a negative precedent for dairy farming in the UK."

The letter places responsibility on the councillors to act in the best interests, not just of the local area but of the British countryside as a whole, calling on them to "….reject the plans for Nocton Dairies and keep industrial farming, with all the social, environmental and ethical detriment that it brings, out of the Lincolnshire countryside and out of the UK."

Philip Lymbery, Chief Executive of Compassion in World Farming, said:

"From all over the country, from all walks of life, from individuals, government offices and NGOs, all with diverse interests, the people have spoken. The overwhelming majority are saying NO to Nocton Dairies - and with good reason.

"Nocton Dairies may try to dismiss their opponents as ignorant 'vegetarians and activists' but the truth is those who oppose these plans have shown intelligence, strength, resilience, and resolve. We urge the local planning officers to do the same now and reject this unwanted, unnecessary and unwelcome proposal."

Highlights of Compassion's campaign to stop the mega-dairy, 'Cows Belong in Fields', include:

After a successful briefing at the Houses of Parliament, 161 MPs have signed EDM 942 to "oppose the establishment of intensive dairy units such as that proposed by Nocton Dairies Ltd in Lincolnshire."
Compassion has officially called on the Government to take the decision out of the hands of local authorities and make the rejection of these plans a national priority. North Kesteven District Council has received a total of 16,000 official objections to the plans.
Compassion's own campaign 'Cows Belong in Fields' www.cowsbelonginfields.org has gained a huge amount of support from MPs and celebrities including our Patron Joanna Lumley, Zac Goldsmith MP, Caroline Lucas MP, Bill Oddie, Jo Brand and William Roache ('Ken Barlow' in Coronation Street).
Compassion has also been working with the local campaign group CAFFO www.caffo.co.uk to generate support from the villages and towns around Lincolnshire.

Read a copy of the letter sent to all 43 councillors at NKDC. ( 467.33KB)

The Alliance is made up of the following groups: