Peter Melchett, Soil Association Policy Director, said: "We are pleased that South Derbyshire District Council have listened to concerns about the risks to health this proposal poses, which have been put forward by large numbers of local residents and the Government's independent advisory body on health issues."

We hope that Derbyshire County Council's final decision, due to take place later this year, will take on board the SDDC's rejection alongside damning evidence from the Health Protection Agency about the potential risk to public health of the proposed mega pig farm and the views of 13,000 members of the public who have opposed this development.

Expert advice given by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) confirms the detailed scientific review of evidence from around the world, submitted by the Soil Association last year. The Soil Association objected to the proposal on the grounds that the extremely high number of pigs housed in one location may increase the level of disease on the holding and over time that may pose a threat to the health of the local community.

Further Reading

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