1m chickens, 35k pigs in Limburg factory farm

A factory farm in Grubbenvorst in Limburg, harboring 1m chickens, 35k pigs, a slaughterhouse and a manure fermenter is one step closer to becoming reality, after the court in Roermond dismissed objections from neighbors today. Most of the 43 neighbors don't live close enough to claim an interest.

Moreover, the judge considers the initiative as beneficial to the area, because it would cause less nuisance as far as living climate is concerned, compared to the current situation. The farm will be the largest in the Netherlands. Opponents claim the factory farm will be ten times the size of current mega farms. The next step for the initiators is to apply for an environmental permit, but they are already pleased with the court's ruling. "The ruling confirms our plans are responsible. We hope reason can once again replace emotion in the discussion ahead", according to the initiators in a statement.