Farms face being blocked from expansion by net-zero campaigners

Yahoo

01-03-2025

Farms face being blocked from expansion by net-zero campaigners under possible action inspired by a legal challenge to oil and gas fields.
The same legal precedent that blocked production at Rosebank oil and Jackdaw gas fields could be used to mount a judicial review against new pig and poultry farms because of the implied emissions from their feedstocks.
Campaigners say the feed used for pigs and poultry contributes to deforestation in the Amazon rainforest and elsewhere, destroying the ability of the forest to suck up carbon.
Campaigners are now looking to a controversial proposed new mega-farm in Norfolk as a test case for their arguments.
The proposal to expand a facility to house up to 14,000 pigs and 714,000 hens near the villages of Methwold and Feltwell have already sparked significant opposition among residents regarding the impact it will have on the community.
According to Sustain, an NGO that campaigns for a healthy and sustainable food system, the facility would cause 120,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases to be released every year. That is the equivalent to 28,000 cars on the road, adding to the area's carbon footprint by up to 9 per cent.
The prospect of a new legal challenge could also spook future investors in large farms in the UK, as well as risk pushing production overseas, where standards are weaker and pollution is worse.
A Supreme Court ruling in June 2024 found that the greenhouse gas emissions of fossil fuel projects must be considered by relevant authorities within an environmental impact assessment.
The Finch ruling is named after Sarah Finch, an activist who led a lawsuit against a new oil well in the Weald area of Surrey.
The precedent was later applied by a Scottish court in ruling that the approval for the Rosebank oil and Jackdaw gas fields had been unlawful, because it did not consider the environment impact of using the oil and gas.
Ruth Westcott, a campaigner at Sustain said: 'The Finch ruling is a victory for communities. It's shocking that corporations have been able to hide the true environmental impact of developments like industrial livestock units.
'This ruling helps to empower communities and councils with knowledge of the harm these developments risk bringing to their doorstep, so they can stand up and protect their local environment.'
The number of intensive livestock farms, defined as those with more than 40,000 chickens or 2,000 pigs, grew 12 per cent between 2016 and 2023.
Beef, dairy and sheep farms are currently excluded from environmental impact assessments, meaning the Finch ruling could not be applied. But the Government plans to extend the environmental-permitting regime in England to dairy and intensive beef farms by 2025. New farms could then be subject to scrutiny over the methane produced by additional cow and sheep burps.
Cranswick, the company behind the plans for the facility in Norfolk, argues that the emissions from the facility are not significant 'in the wider context', according to reports.
Victoria Vyvyan, the president of the Country Land and Business Association said: 'Basing planning decisions on farm-emissions data means putting projects and livelihoods in the hands of unreliable numbers.
'Carbon calculators give substantially different answers depending on the model, making total emissions difficult to estimate with confidence.
'Poultry and pork have the lowest emissions of farmed meats and are important to provide protein for a growing population. CLA members reject policies likely to offshore production.'
Kings Lynn and West Norfolk county council is expected to make its final decision on the Methwold farm in coming weeks, but campaigners say they will launch a judicial review if planning permission is approved.
Jake White, the head of legal advocacy at the WWF, said the Finch ruling would likely already be making a difference to the way councils view new developments.
'It's pretty clear, now Finch has clarified the law. You do have to look much more widely across the supply chain, both the upstream impact, and the downstream impact,' he said.
It could also force new farms to make explicit how their feedstocks will be deforestation-free, which may add to costs of production.
A Cranswick spokesman said: 'Our plans involve modernising the site, ensuring high standards of animal welfare, including lower stocking density for chickens and more space to roam.
'Crucially, by redeveloping this farm, we will provide a strong supply of sustainable, affordable, high quality, British pork and chicken.
'This will reduce the need for more foreign food imports and reduce emissions from the production and transportation of foreign pork and chicken into the UK.'
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.