A mother from Foston is pleading with planners to turn down an application for Europe's largest ever pig farm to be built on her doorstep, over fears for her sick son's health. Sue Weston, of Trotters Lodge nr. Maidensley Farm, is gravely concerned the effect of having 25,000 pigs housed meters from her family home might have on her son Tom, 17, who has recently undergone lifesaving open heart surgery. As well as fearing the threat of potential infection, there is also the worry that the house will become severely devalued and they may have difficulty selling in future. Sue and family will be joined by fellow villagers and campaigners from animal group Viva! and Derby Animal Rights – to ‘Say No to the Foston Pig Prison' during a photo call on Wednesday (May 18). Midland Pig Producers want to house around 25,000 pigs indoors at the development. Objectors are urging people to voice their objection to Derbyshire County Council before the consultation period closes in July. Sue said: “Tom's health is obviously our upmost concern but there are many other reasons why this huge development should not be allowed to go ahead. Having a mechanical aortic valve replacement at such a young age any threat of infection is of life threatening consequence to him. “Also, because of what has happened to our family, we would like to have the option to sell our home and spend more quality together, but this and our human rights could be taken away from us. MPPs huge financial gain would inevitably lead to our family's devastating loss.” Viva! have led the national campaign against the proposal, which would house indoors around 25,000 pigs at any one time. The group says it fears that, if successful, the proposal headed by Midland Pig producers could usher in even larger farms in the future. Justin Kerswell, Viva!'s campaigns managers, says: “The attention of the nation is focused on the small village of Foston. Almost everyone we have spoken to both locally and nationally is opposed to the march of factory farming across the British countryside. Despite claims of better welfare this is still factory farming on an almost unimaginable scale. Constantly kept indoors, these pigs will never feel sunshine or enjoy a root in the dirt. Situated next to a woman's prison, uncomfortable, but obvious, parallels arise. “Midland Pig Producers have said that new regulations mean that keeping animals outdoors may be a thing of the past within the next ten years*. Foston pig farm would be the first nail in the coffin of the British countryside as we know it.” Foston resident, James Davies, added: “We are overwhelmed with the amount of support received from all quarters in our campaign against this planning application. The vast majority of local residents are opposed to the plans, not just because of the ethical concerns over the introduction of livestock rearing on this industrial scale, but also the problems that may be caused by the associated gas and power generation plant. The proposed site is a superb green field and should not be used for this industrial application. Why ruin such productive arable land?” Viva!
