Midland Pig Producers submits pig unit plans

- Published: 28 May, 2010

Plans have been unveiled for a new multi-million-pound pig unit in Derbyshire. Midland Pig Producers wants to develop a specialist 2,500 pig-rearing facility at Foston.

The project, which aims to produce up to 1,000 a pigs a week for sale, could create up to 20 new jobs. If approval is gained, it could be up and running within 12 months. Slurry from the unit would also be turned into electricity, which would be used to power nearby Foston Hall prison.

Midland Pig Producers chief executive Martin Barker said: "We have designed an odourless, humane unit for the animals. The slurry produced is mixed with household waste brought to us from landfill sites and bacteria are introduced to help produce methane gas, which can be turned into electricity."

South Derbyshire District Council will now consider the plans.