Intensive livestock megafarms are often ignoring critical climate impacts when planning new developments. A recent review highlighted that many applications overlook the significant greenhouse gas emissions linked to these large-scale farms.
Last year, campaigners celebrated a major court ruling that required planners to consider all greenhouse gas emissions from major projects. However, a study on 35 proposed developments across the UK found that these applications frequently downplayed or disregarded their carbon footprint.
The research, led by advocacy group Sustain, examined initiatives in farming-intensive regions like Herefordshire, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire. Under UK law, farms with more than 900 sows or 60,000 laying hens must provide data on their environmental effects when applying for planning permission. Yet, none of the reviewed applications included detailed emissions figures.
Notably, companies submitting these applications included well-known meat producers like Cranswick, which reportedly emitted three million tonnes of CO2 in 2024 alone. If all the proposals were approved, an estimated 30,000 additional pigs and nearly five million chickens could be farmed each year, significantly increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Intensive pig and poultry farming generates large amounts of methane and nitrous oxide, gases that contribute heavily to global warming—methane is about 30 times more potent than CO2 in terms of climate impact. Sustain estimates that the reviewed applications could lead to an annual increase of 634,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions, roughly equal to nearly 500,000 flights from London to New York.
Despite the law requiring climate impact assessments, many applications failed to include this vital information. Four applications were rejected in the past year, but others went through without proper ecological evaluations. According to Ruth Westcott from Sustain, this is part of a troubling trend where agribusinesses sidestep transparency regarding their environmental impact. She calls it an “emissions scandal.”
As people become more aware of the climate effects of large farms, local councils are facing pressure to scrutinize these applications more closely. For instance, in April, one application for a megafarm housing nearly 900,000 animals was denied for lacking an environmental assessment, setting a significant precedent.
Experts emphasize that without evaluating their emissions, companies could face legal challenges. Ricardo Gama, an environmental lawyer, suggests that as awareness grows, things could change rapidly for the agricultural sector.
Interestingly, the review found that the majority of the farms’ applications failed to discuss emissions from animal feed, which contributes significantly to overall greenhouse gases. Most livestock in the UK are fed soy, a major driver of deforestation in places like the Amazon Rainforest. According to the WWF, the UK’s soy demand could require over 1.7 million hectares of land—larger than Northern Ireland.
Despite these insights, some applications attempt to satisfy environmental evaluations by arguing that emissions could be offset by transporting poultry meat from different locations, an approach that is misleading. Transportation accounts for only a small fraction of the emissions tied to poultry farming.
As the debate around intensive livestock practices continues, it’s clear that a more rigorous approach to evaluating the climate impact of these farms is necessary. As residents like Jan Palmer advocate for more scrutiny, the agricultural industry’s response to climate challenges could play a significant role in shaping the future of farming in the UK.
For a deeper understanding of the environmental impact of farming, visit the Sustain website.
