Corrie star slams dairy plans

Coronation Street actress Kate Ford (right) has added a celebrity twist to the debate over a proposed ‘super-dairy’ for Leighton.

 

The soap star, who plays Tracy Barlow, is a strong supporter of animal rights issues and has sent a message to campaigners opposing the super dairy which is being earmarked for land close to the village’s primary school.

 

The 33 year-old actress from Salford said: “I sympathise hugely with the residents of Leighton, whose village will be overwhelmed by the mega-farm proposed. I know I wouldn’t want to live next door to it, or have my kids go to school right next door to it, with all the health risks. Who would?

 

“I also sympathise hugely with the dairy cows. Mega, indoor dairy farms pose a horrifying threat to animal welfare because cows kept indoors have less opportunity to perform important natural behaviours and to exercise. As a keen supporter of Compassion in World Farming’s Cows Belong in Fields campaign, I firmly believe a life permanently indoors equates to no life at all.

 

“And I feel for the hundreds of small-scale farmers who are being pushed out of the business. Our countryside wouldn’t be the amazing resource it is without our small, traditional farms, and the cows grazing in the fields.

 

“We need to stop the increasing industrialisation of livestock farming before we end up like the US. I urge everyone to object to the plans for the farm’s expansion and stop this mega-farm in its tracks.”

 

Local farmer Fraser Jones has re-submitted his plans for expansion after taking on board initial concerns from the community during a public consultation period. Mr Jones says the plans are vital to making the industry profitable again after losing money on every litre of milk he currently produces.

 

Those plans are currently with Powys County Council Planning Committee and a decision is expected soon.