NPA reaction to Wildlife Trusts report on pig farming’s environmental impact

The NPA has responded to a report by the Wildlife Trusts that highlights what it claims are the pig and poultry sectors’ cumulative ‘huge’ environmental impact.

The report, which has generated considerable media interest, pointed to the ‘damaging effects of growing the vast feedstocks needed for these animals’ and the ‘deep impacts of these increasingly intensive industries on water quality and pollution levels’.

Its key claims included:

• The scale of the UK pig and poultry sector is huge, with intensive production highly concentrated into ‘hotspot’ areas which often mean current regulations are insufficient to manage the potential environmental impacts of these enterprises.
• The waste from pig and poultry production is about 10.4 million cubic metres per year in the UK, equivalent to 4,160 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The high level of nutrients found in this excreta make it hard to use this waste sustainably.
• Over a third of the UK’s total wheat crop is grown for consumption by pigs and poultry. The fertiliser and pesticide use associated with producing a high output of these cheap grains risks more pollution, placing further pressure on UK wildlife.

NPA response

NPA chief executive Lizzie Wilson said: “The UK is only approximately 60% self-sufficient in pigmeat with a significant proportion imported from countries with lower animal welfare and environmental/sustainability standards in comparison.

“The pig sector is, by way of various environmental legislation, including environmental permitting, one of the most highly regulated sectors within agriculture and as such, along with the poultry sector was responsible for just 2 pollution incidents last year, out of a total of 77 throughout the whole of agriculture (according to the Environment Agency). In addition, the pig sector specifically only accounts for 8% of total UK ammonia emissions.

“Grain is a significant component of pig feed, but we also use over a million tonnes annually of by- and co-products from the human food supply chain, including wheatfeed and rapeseed meal, which constitutes approximately 44% of the total ration fed.

“Furthermore, we have reduced our inclusion of soya in pig diets by 50% over the past 20 years and are steadily transitioning towards sustainably sourced soya, whilst continuously exploring alternative protein sources.

“The land required to spread manure and slurry is used to grow food (and is often part of a muck-for-straw agreement), while the appropriate use of organic fertiliser reduces the use of artificial fertilisers, improves soil health and organic matter content, as well as boosting water holding capacity and, therefore, yield.

“The volumes of manure and slurry we are permitted to spread are tightly controlled with many farmers either regulated through an environmental permit, the Nitrates Directive or Farming Rules for Water. Many are also engaged with Catchment Sensitive Farming. and Red Tractor farm assurance, which represents 95% of all pigs produced, providing provides regular audits against regulations.

“And, finally, it’s no secret that pig production is concentrated in certain areas of the country. This is historically due to the abundance of cereal and straw production and the availability of light land combined, with lower rainfall being confined to the east of the country. This ensures better conditions for outdoor pig production.

“We will continue to engage with government on the review of regulation pertaining to water quality and ensure, as always, we are fulfilling our responsibilities regarding appropriate use of nutrients, our impact on water quality and the wider environment.”

• You can here more of Lizzie’s views in an interview with BBC Farming Today, broadcast on Saturday, HERE (11 mins)