See Comments (95)

1. Jolene Blackthorn April 11, 2011 3:15 pm

   I object to all mega dairies, they are not natural, they are unethical and indefensible. All plans need to be refused.

2. lisa graham April 11, 2011 3:19 pm

   i WILL ALWAYS oppose ANY FACTORY FARM FACILITY for obvious common sense/moral reasons!!!

3. Jenny Abbott April 11, 2011 4:10 pm

   How depressed do humans get when not given access to the outdoors, sunlight, rain, fresh air? Very. So why should any other creature have to put up with that? Treat animals HUMANELEY -cows, pigs, hippopotami – they’re all living creature with RIGHTS!

4. Jill Gordon April 11, 2011 4:28 pm

   I oppose all factory farming of animals. We do not have the right to treat any living creatures in this way. It is dehumanising for us and creates suffering for the animals.

5. Sheena Davies April 11, 2011 4:32 pm

   The people behind this kind of mega farming, think of nothing but themselves and money and nothing else. On moral and ethical reasons all this type of farming should be banned.

6. Lee Davies April 11, 2011 4:37 pm

   I oppose any factory farming in any way.

7. Lee Davies April 11, 2011 4:41 pm

   I will always oppose any form of factory farming and will not support any factory farmed products financially.
   Sincerely,

8. Kara Tennant April 11, 2011 4:42 pm

   I oppose any form of fqctory farming.

9. Diana Ilenkiw April 11, 2011 4:50 pm

   I object strongly to mega dairies, cows need fields and lots of grass.

10. sue Owens April 11, 2011 4:57 pm

    Mega dairies are wrong for all concerned not least the cows!

11. Meryl Rimmer April 11, 2011 4:58 pm

    Cows belong in fields.

12. Nina Welch April 11, 2011 4:59 pm

    I am lodging my objection to Nocturn Dairies opening a large dairy in Powys, Wales. I believe allowing this will change British farming and our countryside forever. Cows belong in fields not factories.

    Yours faithfully

    Mrs Nina Welch

13. katherine courtauld April 11, 2011 5:24 pm

    I object to Nocturn Dairies attempting to open a mega-dairy in Wales, or anywhere else in the British isles. It is indefensible for many reasons, not least the dire effect it would have on biodiversity in the area and the local economy.

14. Morag Greer April 11, 2011 6:37 pm

    We should be going in the opposite direction to intensive farming. Nature has a way of eventually creating a backlash. Anyone with children should be in favour of life affirming decisions regarding our countryside and the future health of all.

15. Lesley Arrowsmith April 11, 2011 7:18 pm

    Thanks for publicising this – Powys is my County Council, and I had no idea this was on the cards. I’ve sent off my objection straight away.

16. Ingrid Hills April 11, 2011 9:42 pm

    I am against all factory farming and do not want Nocturn Daries to operate in Britain.

17. Linda Patterson April 11, 2011 10:37 pm

    No No No No NO to any form of incarceration of any animal !!!!!!!!!

18. Jeanette April 12, 2011 7:44 am

    All factory farming of ANY FARM animal is JUST NOT NATURAL, its like prison confinement, is totally wrong!

19. Mr Mark Williams April 12, 2011 8:19 am

    A mega-dairy in Lincolnshire was thrown out on so many levels not least on animal welfare issues why should Nocturn Dairies continue to think another area would accept this!

20. brigit strawbridge April 12, 2011 8:26 am

    I am lodging my objection to Nocturn Dairies opening a large dairy in Powys, Wales. Factory Farming is an abomination on every level.

21. A Walker April 12, 2011 8:49 am

    I am opposed to this, and have submitted my objections to Powys Planning Dept. and would urge everyone to do the same through their planning portal.

    HOWEVER, do be aware that (a) the proposed dairy at Leighton is under a third of the size of the smaller proposal at Nocton, and (b) it is NOTHING whatsoever to do with the Nocton application. The farmers are different, the landowners are different and and the agents are different. But assuming that they are the same thing, we look ignorant and lessen the impact of our objections. If you truly object, read the planning application and object based on planning issues. Animal welfare is not a planning issue, and any objections made on that front will be discarded.

    FWIW, we got Nocton overturned on pollution grounds – look at water courses and sewerage treatment…

22. @pdjmoo April 12, 2011 9:13 am

    In the USA Mega or Industrial Farms are a disaster for human health, animal well-being and the environment … but GREAT for profits ! I offer some links: SOME USA MEGA DAIRY LINKS http://ow.ly/4yfbK http://ow.ly/4yfbL http://ow.ly/4yfbM http://ow.ly/4yfbN http://ow.ly/4yfbO

23. Gids April 12, 2011 9:45 am

    WTF are they trying to build these monstrosities… they’ve been an unmitigated disaster in America and they’ll be equally terrible here.
    Until our government does the right thing and puts a halt to these hells on earth the only way you can make a real difference is to buy your milk from a local milkman who supports local farmers.

24. Jake Freestone April 12, 2011 9:48 am

    I don’t think we should necessarilly through every baby out with the bathwater, cows will be given the highest welfare standards at these well managed, productive dairy farms. Their welfare reflects the profitability of the business, happy cows equals lots of milk, which is good for everybody. If we don’t start being more efficient then dairies will close, cows will be lost form the rural economy and jobs will be lost. Not just at the farm but all of the ancillary industry’s the feed merchant, the seed salesmen etc.The biodiversity of those areas will also change. Don’t forget it is farmers that manage the countryside. How would you all like to be paying twice the price for milk? At the moment it’s cheaper than bottled water, this can’t be right, without efficienies like those proposed that could be the reality.

25. Anthony Carroll April 12, 2011 9:59 am

    Object to everything about this. Just having a brew now, would not be the same.

    ExploreEverything x

26. Clare Norman April 12, 2011 10:17 am

    I oppose this mega dairy on all levels. We should be thinking Small in matters of farming, and spending the money, supporting many small sustainable farms instead.

27. Caroline April 12, 2011 10:30 am

    I don’t believe in dairy farming AT ALL and I therefore strongly oppose the mega dairy factory farming. I don’t believe that cows should be controlled for the production of milk for humans. Their milk is meant for their calves and NOT other species.

    I am also fairly certain that no species likes to be artificially inseminated repeatedly to induce the production of milk only to have their offspring taken away from them after birth and be hooked up to a machine to be milked for other beings. If humans were controlled in this way there would be global uproar. STOP dairy farming. It’s not right to control any sentient being in this way.

28. Anni April 12, 2011 10:30 am

    NOT the first mega dairy in Wales…..

    http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/hot-topics/super-dairies/welsh-super-dairy-farmers-defend-large-scale-farming/36063.article

29. Russ Henderson April 12, 2011 11:31 am

    Incredible in this day and age that there are idiots still acting without a conscience. I oppose this unit, as would any normal human being.

30. Catherine@WSPA April 12, 2011 3:36 pm

    Hi Anni
    Thank you for bringing this 1,800 dairy on on the outskirts of Carmarthen to our attention. We’ll be looking into it shortly.
    Catherine @ WSPA

31. Amy Homer April 12, 2011 4:10 pm

    Please listen to the arguments against this large dairy. It would be so unnatural and cruel. I have been coming to Wales for holidays for the last 30 years. Wales is beautiful and is made more so by having animals in the fields where they belong

32. Eileen O’Rourke April 12, 2011 4:11 pm

    Please do not allow this mega dairy to be built in Wales. Listen to what people are objecting to….totally un natural and inhuman.

33. Mandy Haddock April 12, 2011 4:19 pm

    To grant a proposal for a factory that will deprive cows of every single natural behaviour can only be wrong. We have campaigned for years to abolish factory farming in order to address health and welfare issues – to allow this milk factory would be a travesty on all accounts.

34. Amanda Lawrence April 12, 2011 4:20 pm

    The mere thought of keeping cows in these unnatural condtions is cruel & inhumane!

35. sanjiv vij April 12, 2011 4:21 pm

    no, no!

36. KateKatV April 12, 2011 6:11 pm

    Bit tricky objecting when I live on the other side of the country, but I have made an objection, as follows:

    I live in another rural area and am concerned about the industrialisation of our countryside and the threat to rural employment as well as the animal welfare issues here.

    A dairy cow produces up to 500 litres of Methane (CH4) a day, creating a risk of explosion from the large quantity of methane that will become trapped in the slurry storage tanks. These kind of emissions from any other type of factory would require filters.

    This kind of development is designed to reduce the need for people to look after the stock and thus impacts directly on rural employment. Welshpool uses the beauty of its surrounding countryside as part of its marketing materials, yet how lovely will it look to have a three-storey milk factory in the area, with its attendant smells, traffic and water pollution?

    The animal welfare issues are self-evident, but people are either humane and therefore already understand that cows are sentient beings which can be happy or unhappy, or they only see the bottom line. In which case the economic argument is that happier cows give better yields and are healthier.

37. Do we really need more milk April 12, 2011 6:40 pm

    We don’t need any more milk

38. Miss G Cowley April 12, 2011 7:05 pm

    If we are going to exploit animals for food the very least we can do is treat them with compassion and respect.

39. chris April 12, 2011 7:45 pm

    If Wales knows what is best for it, Wales will avoid a mega dairy and the shame that would go with such a disgraceful idea.

    No mega dairies in Wales, thank you!!

40. Barbara Powell April 13, 2011 8:57 am

    No. Cows are designed to eat grass. There’s less need for anti biotics etc. etc. We are already becoming immune to antibiotics, we certainly don’t need even more through the food chain. It reminds me of chicken farming all over again. Profit before welfare – again?

41. Natasha Coombs April 13, 2011 10:11 am

    Please don’t allow this horrific development to go ahead. It goes againsst all good farming practice and is fundamentally cruel.

42. joanna hudson April 13, 2011 10:12 am

    Please don’t let Wales be associated with such a cruel and unnatural thing.

43. Don Tamplin April 13, 2011 10:15 am

    Cows in fields please.

44. Flo Fflach April 13, 2011 11:23 am

    If you look at agriculture policy from WAG with reference to carbon footprint you will see recommendations for zero grazing cattle. This is all part of governement policy – needs to be fought at all levels. With the WAG election in May a good idea to ask candidates on their view on policies for agriculture.
    the small dairy farmer is almost gone, our demand for cheap dairy products – guided by the supermarkets. do you consume dairy products? how much are you prepared to pay for small herds in the field?

    of course despite looking at zero grazing for cattle they still want to kill the badgers in gogledd sir benfro/north pembrokeshire. I thnk we have one large but maybe not mega zero grazing dairy herd in pembrokeshire.

45. Flo Fflach April 13, 2011 11:26 am

    a note to KateKatV: one of the arguments for large zero grazing herds is the utilising of methane as energy. part of the carbon footprint reduction argument.
    I think all farms need aerobic digesters: energy and good compost. well and all sewage plants.

46. anne sugden April 13, 2011 1:35 pm

    allow cows to be the wonderful animals they are, be in green fields, & be happy, so that they can give us the milk that makes the delicious food that most of us eat, and enjoy.
    NOT IN FACTORY SHEDS.

47. Joanne Corless April 13, 2011 1:36 pm

    This is completely objectionable – cows belong in fields

48. Lorna Nicholls April 13, 2011 1:37 pm

    A similar project has recently succumbed to public opposition in Lincolnshire and I hope the same thing happens here. Obscene idea.

49. Marc Price April 13, 2011 9:12 pm

    Anything in a factory is bad shit, I certainly wont be buying anything from this source cows are far better off in our fields eating grass.

50. Maria Ellis-Hopkins April 13, 2011 10:00 pm

    This is cruel and unacceptable any farmer should be banned from farming any animals if there is cruelty involved . There are certain elements to raising farm animals in a healthy environment they should be given easy access to the out doors ,where they can roam freely ,naturally …they should be given appropriate, nutritious feed and be kept in limited numbers in order to reduce stress. Please don’ t allow this to happen its obviously about money , This farmer has no thought for the animals …or a passion for farming , if he can do this . Thankyou for your time , I know you will do what is morally right . —- http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/newsthe-cows-are-back-in-the-fields ——

51. Flo Fflach April 14, 2011 10:54 am

    WAG = Welsh Assembly Government.
    this is their policy that means they are looking to all cattle being zero grazing http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2010/100623ccr/?lang=en
    if you live in wales you could make it an issue with your election candidates.

52. Name * April 14, 2011 3:37 pm

    this is totally unacceptable in the 21 century ~ it shows these farmers up for what they are primative animals

53. diana baugh April 14, 2011 3:38 pm

    totally unacceptable in the 21 century ~ it shows these farmers up for what they are primative animals

54. Margaret O’Neill April 14, 2011 3:45 pm

    No to battery cows,No to GM Crops

55. Michelle Heaselgrave April 14, 2011 4:04 pm

    These animals have the same right to spend there time out in the open in the fields and have fresh air and sunlight the same as humas do. Would you build a factory for thousands of people to work in and keep them there 24 hrs a day for the rest of there lives never to experience the outdoor and fresh air ever again ???? No I didnt think so ! So why subject animals to it ? Cows are living breathing creatures with thoughts and feelings. For lords sake have a heart and treat them humanly and with kindness and compassion. Thankyou.

56. Pat Slade April 14, 2011 7:05 pm

    Factory farming is inhumane in any form. This is another cruel example of this. It is barbaric, and driven by greed. It should not be tolerated in our society FULL STOP.

57. Martyn Williams April 15, 2011 10:19 am

    Disgraceful and disgusting, A shame on Powys CC if it goes ahead.

58. Fiona Marshall April 15, 2011 10:21 am

    I object to the inhumane keeping of animals and the environmental consequences of keeping large numbers in one place. This is not the direction we should be going in

59. Nikki Elliott April 15, 2011 10:22 am

    It is time we caught on to the idea that no creature is for us alone. Respect nature and it will give you back tenfold. Disrespect it and death and disease will follow. Every creature deserves our respect. This intensive style of farming is ultimately destructive. We all must learn to live with less.

60. Alison Oscar April 15, 2011 4:56 pm

    Please don’t allow the inhumane practice of locking cows up indoors. We need to respect animals, keep them healthy and do what’s right for them. Humane treatment means keeping cows outdoors where they belong!

61. Susan Bird April 15, 2011 4:57 pm

    Every creature deserves a natural environment. Powys CC should NOT be allowed to go ahead with this.

62. Paul Checkley April 15, 2011 4:58 pm

    Why does mankind feel the need to destroy everything around him, and try and replace mother nature?To pen up any animal is a disgrace, and we as an animal loving nation (well, some of us are) the others don’t give a dam, they only care about money. The way to stop this, is to speak out, contact your MP, they need your vote now, and leave stuff on the shelves that has been factory farmed, action speaks loader than words, if there is no demand, then they go out of business, just think about this, “if you were penned up for the duration of your life, how would you feel? stop moaning and start acting to help these poor animals….Write to your MP on mass and tell him/her you object to factory sheds, the war is over long ago, its time to move on, ban it, and now!!!

63. Joy Raikes April 15, 2011 4:59 pm

    Cows are meant to live in fields, not sheds! They are not objects but live animals and as such should be treated with respect which should Include our self respect. I say have a heart and stop just thinking about money!

64. suzanne blows April 15, 2011 5:26 pm

    All factory farming, without exception, is cruel. When a human is weaned, why would it need milk from a cow – it’s bizarre! Dairy calves are taken from their mother at only a few days old, causing immense distress to both. Females go into the same relentless cycle of producing milk. Males are either shot at a few days old, or sent to disgusting veal farms, sometimes enduring long journeys. For me that’s been reason enough to give up all dairy.

65. Sue Owen April 15, 2011 6:29 pm

    We have a duty to oppose all plans to turn British farming into the American Animal Factories methods.

    As humans we have a moral duty, regardless of profit to protect animals.

    Also, as nature always has a way of redressing imbalance, usually with dire consequences – we all need to acknowledge this!

66. Sue April 15, 2011 6:37 pm

    Maybe if we all stop buying dairy products NOW – Yes its time to change to soya products – including cheese, yoghurt, ice cream,milk Try it – its better for you too!

67. Cinzia Maddalena April 15, 2011 7:13 pm

    There is nothing humane or happy in being killed for consumption. Besides the cruelty behind meat eating, let’s consider the environmental side of it. A vegetarian diet reduces the production of carbon dioxide (CO2). An average car produces 3 kg of CO2 a day while the effort to clear rainforest to produce beef for one hamburger produces 75 kg of CO2. Eating one pound of hamburger does the same damage as driving your car for three weeks!

GO VEGAN

68. Sharron Stretton April 15, 2011 8:43 pm

    Its about time humans stopped treating animals like 4th class citizens of the earth and starting acting a little more “humane”.

69. Tinypoohta April 15, 2011 9:39 pm

    Cows have to have enough time to eat their food properly, and need to chew the cud for an amount of time which means they must spend time laying in the field, many dairies deprive the cows of this option, and bring them in for milking several times a day, without letting them digest thier food properly. This is a crying shame, especially when, the milk is given to the mega dairies to bottle and send to the supermarkets, and you see exactly how much of this milk is wasted, and poured away, and then to top it off, there are millions of starving people in this world, who would fight for a decent cup of milk for their familys and children. Just like everything else, it’s all down the the Money and greed.

70. Silwni Munn April 15, 2011 9:53 pm

    I have lived close to cattle for many years.Those stuck in dark mucky sheds during the winter are miserable and yell a lot. Those fortunate to be let out in Spring go bananas, frolicking, headbutting each other in play and munching the fresh grass greedilly. They also spread out as far away from each other as they can then as if they relish the space. They are clearly happy then. I find I cannot stand being in a factory or other stuffy workplace for more than an hour without being desperate to get outside into the fresh air – and I at least get to move around! To think of being shut in day after day, year after year with no freedom of movement is a nightmare – and I know cows would hate it. Indoors they get bored and depressed. They should not be treated like machines – they are thinking feeling animals, just like humans – only humans only seem to think of money – why should animals suffer just to give humans an income? That end does NOT justify the means! Better to give up milk altogether than make cows suffer. As for the milk costing more if they are in small herds in fields – quality has ever been better than quantity – I would rather go without if I couldn’t afford to pay more for a bottle of milk, rather than be the cause of an animal suffering just so I could get something cheaper – how shallow and tacky! Cows milk anyway is meant for their calives – not humans – if we take it we are just thieves. This monstrous dairy must never be allowed – the only happy people then would be the greedy bastards rubbing their hands with glee at the thought of all the money – better that they be stuffed in a cage and see how long before they scream to be let out. ‘Eye for an eye’ – ‘do unto others as thou woulds’t be done by’ – Mr Farmer!

71. hollyd April 15, 2011 10:08 pm

    i live in the village of leighton where this new farm is being proposed. just wanted to say thanks so much for all your support, we are doing all we can here to stop these proposals going ahead but it is great to know there is support nationwide. thank you!

72. A Maynard April 16, 2011 8:31 am

    It is unethical to rear cows in this manner. I object to this scheme. I want to be able to sleep at night knowing that the milk I drink is naturally produced. Cows grazing out-side. The natural way is the best way. How can this cruelty to animals be justified? It cannot. Keep life simple – recycle the grass naturally by letting the cows eat and deficate outside.

73. jenny April 16, 2011 3:48 pm

    Cows are sacred in India and should be in the UK too. They should be treated better than this. I can complain to my MP but I doubt if it will make any effect. I will tell my friends.

74. Jackie Shields April 19, 2011 10:54 am

    If we must breed animals for food, surely it is not too much to ask that these sentient creatures are treated well during their lives and at least allowed the pleasure of grazing in a field. There is more to life than money and profit.

75. Ellen April 19, 2011 10:55 am

    Cows live in fields – not in sheds. Respect them – they are not just milk producing machines. Don’t copy-cat America and to Powys County Council – don’t let Wales down.

76. susan ashton April 19, 2011 10:56 am

    cows should be out in fields ,not locked away ,just to make money ,let them have there freedom and enjoy the fresh air which every animal has a right to.

77. margaret brookes April 19, 2011 10:56 am

    NO to this plan, no animal should be locked away all day, every day. Let’s lock up the people who agree to this idea, now that’s something I would agree to. Anyone who allows this plan to go ahead is inhumane.

78. Val Norris April 19, 2011 10:57 am

    Cows need to be as free as possible and not kept in sheds where they cannot get to the natural food – grass that their digestive system needs

79. Josephine Abrahams April 19, 2011 10:57 am

    t’s inhumane to keep animals indoors when they should be out grazing on grass in fields and fresh air for the relatively short life span they have. Please respect the needs of our cows and let them have the life they truly deserve.
    Shame on Powys CC for even contemplating letting it go ahead.

80. Marie Linnen April 19, 2011 10:58 am

    I am completely against mega factory farms. It will put little dairies out of business and animals are treated bad enough without being shut in all their lives. Where has our compassion gone.

81. Meudwen Elaine O’rourke April 19, 2011 10:58 am

    NOCTURN DAIRIES think again if you think the welsh are an easy pushover.WE WILL NEVER ALLOW YOU TO PUT YOUR VILE DAIRIES ON OUR GREEN AND PLEASANT LAND.THEY ARE FOR THE COWSto be free to roam. So please get back under the stone where evil people like you belong.

82. Yolande Kenny April 19, 2011 10:59 am

    I strongly object to this proposal. Cows belong in fields not indoors.

83. Denise Kelly April 19, 2011 11:00 am

    It is unnatural for cows to be kept constantly indoors where they cannot move about in freedom. Any type of ‘battery’ farming is cruel and unnecessary we do not need it in this country at all. Where is all the concentrated waste going to go too?

84. The wrong road April 19, 2011 11:01 am

    Instead of striving for ‘more of the same’ we should be focussing on how best to change the way we live, including diet, to achieve real sustainability. We already know that we should be reducing our meat and dairy intake For those who wish to continue to eat meat and dairy, this means eating less and paying more for better quality sustainably produced food ….kinder to the environment, kinder to our health, kinder to the animals.

85. Ann Cockerton April 19, 2011 11:02 am

    I object to this application the proposal is against nature. It is time humans learnt to respect animals. Farm animals should be in fields in the good weather not in sheds or warehouses – it is another form of factory farming. The countryside has suffered for too long because farmers have been allowed to do anything for financial gain. The only option for consumers is to buy organic or soya milk.

86. Lesley J Blissett April 24, 2011 11:37 am

    Why does mankind feel the need to destroy everything around him, and try and replace mother nature? It must be for greed, greed is destroying this planet!

    I strongly object to this application the proposal is a totally unnatural form of farming and can only be about greed. It is time humans learned to respect animals. Farm animals should be in fields in the good weather not in sheds or warehouses – it is a form of factory farming. The only option for consumers is to buy organic or soya milk.

    Have you ever seen cows being put out into the fields after being in the cow shed for the winter, if you haven’t you really ought to, they are so happy and gambol just like their calves. If you see this and still grant this application you cannot have an ounce of compassion in you.

    By the way, I have never ever seen a poor member of a Planning Committee!

87. Peter Clancy April 28, 2011 12:53 pm

    Thoroughly revolting practice – what sort of people even consider doing this?

88. Martin Filgate May 5, 2011 11:32 am

    industrial farming is disgusting and unethical. We need to strive for a better standard in farming and this is a step in the opposite direction.

    People need to be educated and government needs to step in and do the right thing to force change.

89. Jackie McKay May 13, 2011 2:01 pm

    How would these bureaucrats from Powys County Council liked to be locked away in sheds for the rest of their lives like they plan for these poor cows? Animals like cows are breathing living creatures that feel pain and unhappiness just like people but they sometimes show it in different ways. I totally disagree with any kind of intensive animal farming and these proposals are despicable and should definitely not go ahead. Animals and nature was put on the earth for humans to admire and look after not abuse and exploit.

90. Sagar June 6, 2011 7:49 am

    What a joy to find such clear thinking. Tnhaks for posting!

91. Tessa Broad November 24, 2011 10:17 am

    I live near to this propossed torture chamber and as a result, two things. I am leaving Powys as the way some farmers keep their animals is heart breaking and I can’t bear to watch it. The second thing, if I see a milk product with the Welsh flag on it I just won’t buy it and that includes milk so this decision by Powys CC may lead to other farmers being affected by this. Make a choice, stop buying Welsh if Powys won’t listen.

92. mattymays December 22, 2011 3:47 am

    hi notinmycuppa.com-ers happy christmas to every one – matt