Vegans Celebrate Council’s Decision to Uphold Objections to Intensive Pig Farm
Doncaster Council has decided to uphold objections made by local vegan activists and vegan campaigning charity Viva! against a proposal to build an intensive pig farm in the local area.
Earlier this month, a proposal was submitted to Doncaster Council to build an intensive pig farm at The Abbes Walk Burghills, Doncaster. The proposed site is approximately one mile away from the village of Owston and less than a mile from other residences. The Squirrel Wood Scout Campsite is also a short distance from the proposed site.
Now, following contact from vegan charity Viva! and local residents, Doncaster Council has denied permission to build the intensive pig farm. This move has been widely praised by the local community and vegan campaigners across the UK.
Juliet Gellatley, Viva! Founder and Director said:
“We are thrilled that Doncaster Council has upheld the objections to building an intensive pig farm. We submitted a formal objection on behalf of local supporters, who had expressed their concerns about animal welfare and biosecurity on these farms.
We submitted our objection on the basis that intensive farming is a breeding ground for disease. Having thousands of pigs in proximity to residential areas is a potential health hazard. In fact, there is evidence that the relatively recent swine flu pandemic originated from an intensive pig farm. Another study has shown that deadly superbugs can be spread by flies from pig farms and, with a stream so close to the site, the waterways could become contaminated with runoff from the farm.
However, it is a shame that when planning proposals are considered, animal welfare is not taken into more consideration. The pig industry – like all forms of intensive factory farming – is an inherently cruel business. Pigs are kept in barren, filthy conditions, in cramped pens with no enrichment, unable to express their natural behaviours. This systematic abuse is shocking, considering how intelligent and emotional pigs are.
There is still more work to be done until this cruel industry comes to an end but we are confident that the vegan community will be over the moon to hear that Doncaster Council has taken a stand in this instance.”
Notes to editors
For media interviews and opportunities, contact Roisin McAuley, PR & Marketing Manager on 0117 944 1000 or email roisin@viva.org.uk
- Reference about swine flu: http://www.hsus.org/farm/news/ournews/qa_on_swine_flu_050209.html Viva! is a registered charity 1037486
- Viva! is a registered charity 1037486
- Viva! is an established animal and environmental campaigning charity that has been promoting veganism since 1994
