Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SNOUT OF ORDER
USPCA say pig fires raise big questions ‘Sufficient space needed for animals’ Process‘case of economics versus welfare’
AN animal charity has called for a rethink on farming practices after thousands of caged chickens and pigs were killed in horrific fires.
Around 2,000 pigs and piglets burned to death trapped in metal crates in a blaze on Carrigenagh Road, Kilkeel, Co Down, on September 7.
Less than a week later, around 6,000 chickens suffered a similar fate after a fire ripped through the shed in which they were being kept on Crosscavanagh Road, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, on September 13.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said both blazes were accidental and many shared their sympathies with the farms involved.
Pictures from the scene in Kilkeel showed the scale of the devastation – but it also highlighted the way mother pigs and their babies are being kept.
The USPCA said the incidents raise questions for Northern Ireland’s Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in terms of what acceptable farming practice is.
USPCA chief Brendan Mullan told the Mirror : “These tragic events must be devastating at a personal level for the farms affected and we are all shocked at the thought of the horrifying death endured by the animals.
“This naturally raises questions around the regulation and inspection of farm buildings, particularly with regard the adequacy and safety of electrical installations. At the same time, it brings into sharp focus and raises further questions on the scale and density of current farming practice.”
Mr Mullan has called on leaders and the public to consider how “farm animals are sentient beings and as such should be allowed sufficient space and facilities to display their natural behaviour in a farming environment”.
He added: “Current intensive indoor conditions fail to satisfy even the most basic b eh av io u ra l req u i re ment s leading to abnormal behaviours due to boredom, stress and bad health.
“Any cage system also implies greater numbers of animals being kept in close confinement, leading to increased risk of disease, so high quantities of antibiotics and other drugs are administered to the animals.
“In the context of responding to the challenges of climate change and sustainability, intensive livestock farming presents a well-documented and unique set of problems for the environment, including high levels of soil, water and air pollution.”
Agriculture is responsible for 27% of Northern Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions according to Stormont’s own analysis – 92% of which came from livestock and 8% from fertilisers containing nitrogen in 2017. Government reports also reveal how ammonia pollution exceeds critical levels in 98% of the region’s conservation areas and has grown by 18% since 2010.
DAERA describes ammonia as an air pollutant which arises mainly from agricultural practices and when it mixes with other air pollutants it forms airborne particles called PM2.5, which are linked to respiratory problems, cardiovascular di seases, cognitive decline and low birth weights.
According to research by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism Northern Ireland has 259 facilities that could be described as mega-farms, out of a total of 789 across the UK – despite having just 4% of the UK’S population. This means more waste.
In March last year, the Ulster Farmers Union said it fought hard, and won, against “suggestions to cover existing slurry stores, ban the use of urea fertiliser, and the phasing out of splash plates” claiming the suggestions to reduce nitrate production “were totally impractical”.
The USPCA says it would like to see a proactive move towards the use of loose housed or outdoor systems with a stocking density which allows free movement and the expression of normal behaviour.
Mr Mullan said: “Unfortunately, this is a case of economics versus animal welfare, however, there is an opportunity to change the economics through two achievable and practical actions.
“Firstly, as we leave the EU, future
Current intensive indoor conditions fail to satisfy the most behaviour requirements BRENDAN MULLAN USPCA CHIEF EXECUTIVE
financial support for farming could be linked to a move towards higher welfare and environmentally friendly systems, offsetting any short-term reduction in farm revenue arising from lower density practices.
“Secondly, food labelling could be enhanced to require a declaration of the type of farming practice used in the meat production. We are confident that the public would support farming practices with higher welfare standards and that consumer demand would drive change.”
DAERA said there is no limit on the number of animals that can be held on one Northern Ireland farm. A spokesman added: “We l f a r e standards for all farmed animals are prot ect ed and enforced in Northern Ireland under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and the Welfare of Farmed Animal s Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012”.
However, under its own rules it stated: “There are no restrictions on how long animals may be kept inside provided that the environment in which they are housed satisfies the requirements set out in the 2011 Act and the 2012 Regulations.”
We asked DAERA: “Are there any stipulations on how much room each animal needs? If so, what is this for each animal?”
A spokesman replied: “The 2012 Regulations make provision for the conditions applicable for farmed animals, including space allowances.
These conditions vary dependent on the type and age of animal concerned.
“The Codes of Practice set out in further detailed guidance on space allowances which is dependent on the age and type of animal.
“Codes of Practice have been written for beef cattle, dairy cattle, meat chickens, laying hens, sheep and pigs and the department warns that “failure to meet a minimum standard in this Code may be used as evidence to support a prosecution”.
“Persons in charge of animals have a legal obligation to ensure that animals in their care have a suitable environment i n w hich the animal is able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns and any need it has to be housed with, or apart from other animals is met.” These codes do not state how many stock keepers are needed per number of animals just that it should be “a sufficient number of staff ”.
The Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 states that pigs “shall be free to turn round without difficulty at all times” and “stand up, lie down and rest without difficulty”.
In relation to cage sizes, they need only be the square of the length of the pig, with no internal side less than 75% of the length of the pig from the end of its snout to the tip of its tail while standing.
Chickens for meat can be kept at up to 33kg per metre of usable area – so if the chickens weigh 2kg each, almost 17 can be kept in that space.