Letter: All is not what is seems with the arrival of factory dairy farm
I'm writing in response to your recent article 'Controversial Mid Wales mega-dairy may create 10 jobs' (March 15).
As with many proposed factory dairy farms, all is not as it seems with claims of boosting the local economy.
As WSPA attended the Public Inquiry, we would question how many of these jobs are in fact new vacancies, and how many of those roles are already filled.
Even if the vacancies are genuine, will they actually be filled by local people?
Evidence shows that staff on industrial farms frequently come from outside the farm's local community and, if anything, place an added strain on local services in rural areas.
In fact, instead of creating jobs, the community may actually see a net job loss.
Our evidence at last week's inquiry highlighted research which shows that children who attend school near industrial farms have increased rates of asthma.
If parents opt to send their children elsewhere, this would almost certainly mean closure for the school and a loss of 16 jobs.
It's vital that when considering the inquiry's recommendations, the minister chooses a future for Welshpool and Wales that is sustainable and economically, environmentally and ethically responsible: criteria WSPA believes this farm and others like it are unable to fulfil.
Carol Lever
WSPA UK Dairy Campaign Manager
