Welfare Groups End ‘mega Dairy’ Plans

Nocton Dairies wanted to build the farm, which would have housed almost 4000 cows, in Nocton, Lincolnshire, but faced widespread opposition from groups such as The Environment Agency and Anglian Water. Issues were raised about the pollution the large construction could cause, as well as the ethical ramifications of keeping cows indoors for most of their lives.

The company had initially wanted to build an even bigger ‘super dairy’ on the site, housing around 8000 animals, but were forced to amend their plans last year after campaigns from local, welfare and environmental organisations.

Joyce D’Silva, director of public affairs at Compassion in World Farming, said: “If this truly marks the end of this application, then we can rejoice that thousands of dairy cows will be spared miserable lives where they would be deprived of normal opportunities for grazing in fields.”

However, farmers groups have expressed their disappointment at the withdrawal, with some arguing that British farms will inevitably have to get larger if demand for dairy produce continues to intensify.

NFU dairy board chairman Mansel Raymond said: “I understand that technical issues underpinned the farmers’ decision to end the plans for the development at Nocton, but nonetheless it is disappointing that the application has been withdrawn. Any planned investment in the dairy industry is a positive step.

“Nocton was an imaginative and innovative proposal, and I firmly believe that there remains a place in Britain for this type of investment if we are to meet the growing demand for food,” he adds.