Villagers who are living beside a mega-farm claim they suffer nosebleeds, headaches and breathing problems due to its air pollution and chronic stench.
Residents also claimed of hearing “harrowing squeals by distressed pigs”. One local said the smell left him feeling like a prisoner in his own home. They say the problems began in 2021 when the number of pigs jumped from about 600 sows and piglets to around 7,000 adult animals in a big expansion.
Planning permission was granted for the demolition of 10 buildings and erection of seven new pig sheds, increasing floor area from 1,577sq m to 6,386sq m. The former independent farm, which is around 330 yards from homes in Stow Bedon, Norfolk, is now owned by food giant Cranswick PLC, one of Britain’s biggest pork producers.
Ann Cuthbert, 66, who has been a resident in the picture postcard village for 30 years, said her dog died of a rare cancer earlier this year. The health professional said she gets nosebleeds from the smell of ammonia, created by the breakdown of manure.
She added: “I never used to suffer but that all changed in 2021. It’s nauseating. It stings your eyes, nose and lungs. I also get headaches. Two of the dogs have skin irritations and Refus died in January after developing a rare cancer of the spine.
“When the pollution plumes are strong, the sense of taste and smell become confused so that food tastes of pig urine or excrement. We have since given up eating all pork products.” Ms Cuthbert also hit out at the screams by pigs at Cherry Tree Farm, adding: “The harrowing squealing is unbearable. The animals sound as if they are very distressed.”
She fears the site, assured by the Red Tractor food scheme, may expand again and said a GP gave her daughter an inhaler to use amid pollution clouds. Local Tess Fitzgerald said the thick haze gave her an irritated windpipe. Ex-PM Liz Truss, the MP for the area, has been criticised by locals for her ties with Cranswick boss Adam Couch. She joined him on trade visits to China and appointed him to a Government trade advisory body.
The FTSE 250 firm supplies Aldi, Asda, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco. Last year its revenue hit £2.3billion. In 2016, there were 974 pig and poultry mega-farms in the UK compared with 1,176 in 2023. Critics called the 20% rise a cruel trend.
Compassion in World Farming said 85% of UK farm animals, over a billion, stay in overcrowded barns. Norfolk has 27.5 million animals in 122 mega-farms, the third highest confinement per county in the UK. Cranswick is also facing opposition in the Norfolk villages of Methwold and Feltwell after it submitted plans for the UK’s biggest factory farm. The two farms would hold up to 48,000 pigs and 6.7 million chickens a year.
The Cranswick Opposition Group said: “To put something this size into a rural village where the roads are unlikely to cope with the traffic, the likely implications for human health and the environmental effects are just too much to think about.”
Since Cherry Tree Farm’s expansion, 380 smell complaints have been made to the Environment Agency. Investigations found the farm to be in breach of its permit 12 times. An enforcement notice was issued, requiring a reduction in ammonia emissions and extending chimney stacks on buildings which house pigs.
A ban on manure and slurry being spread on surrounding fields was brought in. Of 40 odour assessments by the EA, 10 showed moderate-to-severe levels. But Stow Bedon and Breckles Parish Council said: “Almost on a daily basis residents are sending complaints to the Environment Agency about breaches to the permit with regard to odours and noise.”
Cranswick Foods was fined £75,000 in 2019 for polluting the watercourse in Watton, Norfolk, near an abattoir. Locals say the EA lacks funds to investigate new cases thoroughly, blaming Ms Truss during her time as DEFRA Minister when she presided over a £235m reduction in funding.
Anthony Field, head of Compassion in World Farming UK, said: “Residents have every right to complain. Factory farms have huge negative impacts on animal welfare, human health and are detrimental to the environment.” A spokesman for Ms Truss said: “Liz has taken up residents’ concerns with the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, which is run by independent councillors. They are responsible for the decision on this issue and the enforcement of environmental standards along with the Environment Agency.”
Cranswick said none of its 700 farm-based employees suffer health issues from ammonia exposure and levels are within EA regulations. It added: “We have invested significantly in the redevelopment of the site. As a result of new legislation, we have modified some aspects of the operation. The site is operating well within the parameters of the permit issued by the Environment Agency.”
A spokesman for RSPCA Assured, a farm and food assurance scheme, said: “No animal welfare issues were found at this site. Pigs are very vocal animals and were found to be healthy, clean and in good condition. There is no widely agreed definition of a mega-farm but it is not necessarily the same thing as intensive farming – something the RSPCA and RSPCA Assured are opposed to.”
The EA said: “Last year we issued an enforcement notice due to breaches of permit at Cherry Tree Farm, with the operator making improvements to further minimise odours. We have made a number of visits to the site to inspect it, carry out odour assessments and seek improvements to minimise odours.”