New figures have revealed that factory farms in the region are caught breaking environmental rules twice a week. Data obtained through Freedom of Information requests shows there have been 776 reported breaches of environmental rules at the industrial-scale sites, which require a permit for intensive farming since 2017.
The findings have led eco groups to call for tougher regulations to help protect wildlife and the environment. However, it comes amid government plans to overhaul planning systems to make it easier for farmers to build infrastructure to boost food production. This has sparked fears the loosening of regulations could lead to more pollution incidents.
What has been breached?
Operators of farms with places for at least 40,000 birds, 2,000 pigs and 750 sows – breeding female pigs – must obtain an intensive farming permit from the Environment Agency. These provide strict guidelines for companies to follow, which can result in prosecution if rules have been breached.
Farms holding a permit are inspected to assess livestock housing, slurry and manure storage and drainage systems. They are also inspected to check farm records relating to animal numbers, feed, energy and water use, and waste disposal.
Between 2022 and 2024, there were more than 130 incidents at 57 farms that breached permits in Norfolk. Of these breaches, just one farmer has been prosecuted. At the same time, 24 reports have resulted in official warnings being given to operators. Two have received formal cautions while 94 have received advice and guidance.
Since 2017, there have been at least 776 reports of rules being broken in East Anglia, which equates to an average of two a week. Many of the breaches are related to poor management, record keeping, the condition of livestock buildings and ammonia emissions.
Farmer prosecuted
Just one company has been prosecuted for breaking its permit: a pig unit near Attleborough. It was found to have breached its permit six times. The Environment Agency inspectors reported environmental risks due to poor maintenance of buildings, incorrectly stored oil containers, and the lack of inspection and maintenance programmes.
The company has been approached for comment.
Other farms found to have committed a number of breaches include Cherry Tree Farm in Stow Bedon. It was reported nine times in 2022 and 2023 and received seven warnings and two cautions, many of which related to odour.
One nearby resident said at times there is a pervasive smell of ammonia that causes eye and lung irritation. “When the pollution plumes are strong,” she explains, “food tastes like pig urine. Sometimes it can be so strong it is difficult to breathe when walking near the site.”
As East Anglia Bylines has previously reported, the site has become a major point of controversy for villagers, who have made hundreds of complaints since it expanded in 2021.
Cherry Tree Farm is owned by Cranswick – one of the biggest food producers in the country, that owns several sites in Norfolk. It says it has carried out a series of changes to try to minimise its impact, which it says has made improvements. Although villagers say there continue to be problems.
Responding to the findings, a National Farmers Union spokesman said: “We cannot comment on individual cases but often correspondence from the Environment Agency is simply advisory and focused on helping farmers comply with the very strict regulations that are in place.
“East Anglian farmers and those across the country are committed to producing high quality, traceable and affordable food while taking their environmental responsibilities very seriously centred around high standards of animal welfare and sustainability. Farm size itself though is never a measure of these standards.”
Megafarms on the rise
Environment secretary Steve Reed has vowed to make it easier for farmers to build infrastructure to boost food production.
Norfolk has already seen a rise in megafarms and has one of the largest number in the country. There are several sites planning expansions in the future. Cranswick’s site in Methwold and Feltwell is one example, with the firm planning to build one of the biggest livestock farms in Europe to house millions of chickens and thousands of pigs a year. As East Anglia Bylines has reported, the application has received more than 15,000 letters of objection from animal welfare groups, wildlife charities and concerned villagers.
The firm has had at least 90 permit breaches since 2017 at farms it owns. However, the firm says the vast majority of these breaches resulted in advisory notices rather than major action.
A spokesman said: “When we invest in the infrastructure, we will always look to improve the operation of the farm, whether that be linked to noise, air quality or improving animal welfare. All of our farms are accredited to either the Red Tractor Assured or RSPCA Assured welfare accreditation schemes.”
Environmental groups believe the findings show that companies need tougher regulations rather than a loosening of planning rules. Sustain, which released the Freedom of Information data, has called for farming practices to move away from intensive livestock rearing to a more sustainable and “nature-friendly” model”.
Lily O’Mara, climate justice fellow at the organisation, said: “Time and again, big agri-businesses claim to care about sustainability while routinely failing to meet even the most basic regulations.
“The government should strengthen enforcement on vital safeguards for our soils, rivers and air and not weaken planning policy where there is mounting evidence of environmental violations and unsustainable practices.
“The Chancellor and Environment Secretary should recognise that rural communities paying the price, while corporate agribusinesses reap the rewards, is not the kind of economic growth the country needs.”
