Norfolk Labour MP Terry Jermy calls to block megafarm

Terry Jermy, Labour MP for South West Norfolk, has written an extensive letter of objection to the Environment Agency (EA) railing against Cranswick's bid to create the huge 'megafarm' in Methwold and Feltwell.

The food giant hopes to create a "modern facility" to house 14,000 pigs and 870,000 chickens at any one time.

The proposed plans for the two connected sites in Methwold and Feltwell (Image: West Norfolk Council)

But the plans have stirred a huge amount of controversy in the region, prompting 15,000 people to object. International animal welfare and climate campaign groups have even become involved in fighting against it.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has also submitted a petition that has gained 40,000 signatures, urging West Norfolk Council (WNC) to reject the plan. 

READ MORE: Last chance to have say on controversial farm bid which has sparked 15,000 objections

In a letter to the EA, Mr Jermy urged officials not to issue a permit for the farm.

He said: "I believe this will cause unnecessary and damaging pollution which will adversely affect people and biodiversity.

"At a time when it is critical to implement measures to improve the environment, it would be a travesty to permit this damaging development."

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Terry Jermy meeting with a group of farmers in Hockwold recently (Image: Terry Jermy)

The Norfolk MP has also joined others in questioning whether enough analysis has been conducted by Cranswick to properly assess the environmental impact of the farm.

This follows other groups, including the World Wide Fund for Nature and climate change activists Sustain, complaining the greenhouse gases it will create had not been calculated properly and calling it "unlawful".

However, the farming firm claims it is confident it has followed the correct procedures. 

A spokesman said: "We are satisfied that all of the necessary information has been included."

Cranswick hopes to knock down the disused sheds and build 14 pig 'finishing' buildings at the site (Image: Owen Sennitt)

The rise of megafarms in Norfolk has become a controversial topic among local farmers, although few are willing to speak publicly on the matter.

Recent figures from the Environment Agency show there have been 32 applications for intensive farming sites in the county in the last three years.

One local farmer, Brian Harrison, of College Farm in Methwold, shared his fears in a letter of objection to WNC.

He said: "The effect of siting what will be one of the UK's largest chicken farms and increasing pig production on the site surely can't be justified on environmental grounds."

He warned that there could be bio-security issues from the site, worrying it could: "Destroy our means of making a living."

Rebecca Mayhew, of Old Hall Farm in Woodton near Bungay (Image: Denise Bradley)

Rebecca Mayhew, a farmer based near Bungay, knows the risk of disease for intensive farming all too well.

Her family's herd of pigs at Royal Oak Farm were decimated after a disease outbreak, prompting a decision to downsize and take a more environmentally friendly approach to farming.

She said: "Big farms like that are accidents waiting to happen. Disease can spread like wildfire. We have a £2m pig shed sitting empty as we will not farm like that again."

Crown Street in Methwold and St George's Church. (Image: Denise Bradley)

However, there is growing demand for cheaper food, which firms like Cranswick are able to produce.

Mrs Mayhew added: "These bigger companies are trying to take out the middleman and control every part of the supply chain."

This helps protect the firm against the fluctuating price of produce such as milk and fresh meat, which is putting huge pressure on smaller-scale farmers' profits, she added. 

Despite the backlash, the National Farmers Union has previously defended intensive farming.

It said: "British farmers produce affordable food, to some of the highest animal welfare and environmental standards in the world. They also adhere to strict production and biosecurity standards."

Poultry farms with more than 40,000 birds need a permit for intensive farming from the Environment Agency. Photo: Jeremy Durkin/PA Wire

Farming has become a key focus for Mr Jermy.

He recently broke party ranks and questioned the "accuracy" of figures being used to justify changes to agricultural relief for inheritance tax (APR) announced in the Budget.

He has also voiced concerns about the proliferation of solar farms in Norfolk, worrying the loss of farmland could undermine the UK's food security. 

“There are widespread concerns about the Methwold mega farm proposal, including from the farming community,” he said.

"I support reform of APR. It currently encourages land banking and drives up land prices, hurting smaller scale farmers. I also hear the concerns about farms potentially being broken up and sold as the business becomes financially unsustainable.”