Lincolnshire farmers say they provide high standards of animal welfare after investigation by animal welfare group

Lincolnshire farmers say they provide high standards of animal welfare and care as they defend themselves against claims of ‘factory’ size units operating in the county.

The Lincolnshire branch of the National Farmers’ Union has hit out over an investigation undertaken by the Compassion in World Farming group which claims that the county has high numbers of livestock permanently housed indoors. The county has a number of poultry farms.

Lincolnshire has 35,797,299 animals confined across the county, according to the animal welfare organisation, which also wants to put an end to ‘factory farming’.

Nationally the NFU has been highlighting the high animal welfare and environmental standards provided by British farmers – who could be undercut in the wake of post-Brexit trade deals by cheap imported food which does not have to follow the same strict guidelines.

NFU spokesperson Oliver Cartwright said: “Here in the UK, poultry farms adhere to strict standards for things like stocking density, enrichment activity for birds and environmental protection.

“The vast majority of people across the country rely on nutritious and affordable British chicken and eggs as a diet staple. Our poultry farmers are committed to meeting that demand by using highly efficient systems which are centred around high standards of animal welfare and sustainability.

“Farm size itself is never a measure of these standards. What matters is how the system is managed and the husbandry that goes into caring for the birds. These are the top priorities for British poultry farmers and they continue to produce food some of the highest standards in the world.”

The campaign group claims that ‘factory farming’ has enabled the production of ‘cheap’ meat with one billion animals kept in barns or cages.

It says the current agricultural system is driving climate change and highlighted issues with the spread of diseases within livestock.

Anthony Field, Head of Compassion in World Farming’s UK Office said that factory farms blight local communities.

He said: “Factory farms and the animals they confine are often hidden from public view but as the data shows, are rife in Lincolnshire. This investigation shines a spotlight on their rising numbers, clearly illustrating the desperate, broken, and unsustainable food system we have created.

“Enough is enough. The spread of industrial farming must stop. This intensive method of producing food must be revised in line with the UK Government-commissioned National Food Strategy, with farmers given help to transition to a more sustainable land use.

“We urge the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to strengthen the law and issue guidance for local government to urgently clear this matter up.”

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