Pig farm will ‘change the nature of the area forever’ if approved

Residents in Castletown have lodged an appeal against a proposed pig farm in the area, with odours and emissions, water contamination, increased traffic and animal welfare among their main concerns.

Drakestown Community Group are appealing Meath County Council's decision to grant permission for the facility saying if it got the go-ahead would “change the nature of the area forever.”

The group has created a fundraising page as they prepare to take legal action if An Bord Pleanála's decision does not go in their favour with over €4,000 raised so far.

The planning application granted by the local authority lodged by John Kearns sought permission to construct a pig house to include completion of slatted floor on top of an existing manure storage tank and associated works together with all ancillary structures to include meal storage bins and associated site works (including completion of site entrance as previously approved) arising from the above proposed development. A Natura Impact Statement was also submitted with this planning application.

There had been previous planning applications granted in relation to this type of facility in recent years on the same site, however the development was not completed within the time frame outlined in the planning conditions and therefore a new application was lodged.

The proposal was opposed by locals and attracted dozens of objections.

The group commissioned three experts as part of their appeal including an agricultural consultant, an ecologist and a planning consultant to back up their beliefs that development of this facility should not be given the go ahead.

Details on the GoFundMe Page noted a number of concerns from the Drakestown Community Group which describes themselves as “a close knit and determined rural community” near Castletown Kilpatrick Village, just off the Navan-Kingscourt Greenway.

“This development isn’t just a pig farm—it’s a massive industrial facility, bringing with it pollution, ground water contamination, disease risk, and destruction of our natural heritage.

“Other counties have already said NO to new piggeries on greenfield sites, recognising the damage they cause. If this piggery is allowed to go ahead, it sets a dangerous precedent for more industrial-scale pig units in this area of Co Meath.”

The impact on wildlife was also referenced including the fact that the endangered Barn Owl is known to use the hedgerows in the area.

“A representative from Birdwatch Ireland has confirmed that barn owl populations have been devastated in areas where industrial pig and poultry farms have been introduced.

“Barn owls depend entirely on rodents for survival, but these factory farms create massive rodent infestations, making them breeding grounds for rats and mice. They use large quantities of poisons, leading to secondary poisoning of barn owls and other birds of prey. They destroy natural hunting habitats, leaving these iconic birds to starve.

“We are proud custodians of a diverse range of bird species and wildlife, flora and fauna, some of which are endangered or have only recently recovered. This piggery threatens to reverse years of conservation efforts in one reckless decision.”

Meanwhile, animal rights groups have called for the pig-farming industry to be banned after it obtained video footage during an investigation of four farms located in the North East.

The National Animal Rights Association (NARA) and Animal Rebellion Ireland have released video footage of this investigation which they claim is “undeniable proof that there are systematic failures in the industry”.

Laura Broxson, spokesperson for the National Animal Rights Association, said: “Like our previous investigation, we witnessed sick, injured and dying pigs living in absolute squalor.

“Even if these farms had any sense of hygiene, the pigs are still kept indoors, in sow stalls, farrowing crates and pens. It is completely unacceptable to treat any animal like this.

“At a time when government ministers are travelling the world to promote what it is to be Irish, we wonder if they are going to acknowledge our extreme failures when it comes to even the most basic animal welfare requirements?”

It is the second probe into the pig-farming industry by the animal rights groups. Last year, the Department of Agriculture said it would be conducting an investigation in relation to the allegations.

A decision on the appeal is due in June.