Huge increase in NI mega farms sparks animal welfare concerns

need to address the manner in which we are farming these animals.

“To pack large numbers of livestock into cramped conditions may seem like a space-saving idea, but in fact it pays no regard to the animals’ welfare, it promotes disease and illness, and it maintains the ineffective practice of feeding grain to animals, grains that could otherwise be used to feed our ever-growing population.

“What is perceived to be more efficient, is actually completely detrimental to the UK’s standards of animal welfare, human health and our environment.” However, some farming experts say

that intensive farming doesn’t impact on animal welfare.

Ulster Farmers Union deputy president Ivor Ferguson (left) said that such farms have to adhere to “strict” standards.

He said: “Family-run farms continue to be the norm in Northern Ireland but like any industry, in order to deal with volatility and changing market demands, some farm businesses have had to change course or diversify.

“Given the expansion of the poultry sector in Northern Ireland in recent years, the increase in poultry farms makes sense.

“While there are some larger, intensive family farms here, they are nowhere near the scale that is found in the US, China, South America, or even GB.

“To operate, intensive farms here have to adhere to strict environmental and animal health standards, including having at least one environmental audit each year. As a result, they are extremely efficient and deliver good environmental and welfare outcomes.

“Post-Brexit, one of our biggest concerns is that the safe, traceable, high quality food produced in Northern Ireland will be undermined by imports from countries with lower environmental, animal health and production standards such as the US and South America.”

These mega farms require a permit to operate that is issued by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

The licence contains details of the farm operator, the number of livestock and set conditions.

A spokesman for the USPCA was also critical of the mega farms.

“Disease, lack of enrichment, housing issues, long distance and transport are all matters for concern,” he said.