Pig farms need permit

All pig farms with capacity of more than 750 sows, or 2,000 finishing pigs over 30kg, will require an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) permit by 2007, under planned EU legislation.

The proposal comes on top of the Nitrates Directive, which is also expected to substantially increase the costs of manure handling on pig farms.

Pig producers over the threshold size will have to apply for a permit between Nov 1, 2006 and Jan 31, 2007, leading to calls from farmers throughout Europe for the new IPPC rules to be postponed. Permits are already required for new developments exceeding these threshold sizes.