A controversial farm in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland that will house 15,000 pigs has begun construction.
Farmer Derek Hall wanted to construct a unit for up to 30,000 pigs, but was forced to revise plans for half that size.
Slurry and smell were among the concerns raised by nearby residents in Newtownabbey, and 200,000 people signed an online petition against the development.
Ulster Unionist Party politician Roderick Swann backed the construction. He said: “I’m a farmer myself who supports the agri-industry and I was quite satisfied that all the necessary welfare issues were addressed.
“The planning case officer and all the consultees were quite happy with everything that was proposed.”
'Potential to increase sow herd'
Mr Hall hopes the farm will be completed around September.
"The site where the farm is being built extends to 30 acres but we are actually only building on around 20% of that. The remainder will be left as a green field site and a water attenuation pond," he said.
"The farm itself is being built at the back of the site, with the pond visible from the road. Four sheds, each measuring around 110m by 38m, are being built there.
"We aim to house 15,000 pigs from weaning age, or around 7kg upwards, at the new farm. A third of the total pigs there will be small pigs producing very little slurry. Currently we have 900 sows and these will be kept at our existing farm.
"When the new farm is completed there is the potential to increase the sow herd to 1,500, but only if it is required.
"We are building a 500 kilowatt anaerobic digester which will take the odour emitting gases from the slurry, thereby significantly reducing odour, and convert them into energy.
"This energy base will be used to power the farm. The digester also produces heat which will be used in the pig houses in order to create a better environment for the animals."
'Modern pig farm'
Famous voices also joined in on the opposition, with celebrities including Queen guitarist and animal welfare campaigner Brian May, as well as actors Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove, having publicly opposed the pig unit.
Ulster Unionist Party politician Roderick Swann backed the proposal. He said: "I'm a farmer myself who supports the agri-industry and I was quite satisfied that all the necessary welfare issues were addressed.
"The planning case officer and all the consultees were quite happy with everything that was proposed."
Asked if he understood the strong opposition, both from locals and those not so local, Mr Swann said: "I can and I can't. There was an awful lot of 'not in my backyard'.
"A lot of these animal rights folks, they're entitled to their opinion, but I think they’re on the wrong track sometimes. This will be the most modern pig farm, not only in Ireland, but also Great Britain."
