considerable distance to other pig farms in the area reduces the risk of disease outbreaks. Environment Key conditions Though the Agrocentre represents a marked improvement on mainstream pig farming, it may still meet with significant social resistance, particularly from opponents of industrial pig farming and people living near a (planned) Agrocentre. Operators of megastalls (large-scale pig and poultry farms) who skimp on investments in the environment and animal welfare are currently contending with strong resistance. Agrocentres are vulnerable to similar criticism on account of their large scale. Odour, fine particle and ammonia emissions per animal are significantly smaller than in mainstream pig farms, but may still exceed the legal limit due to the concentration of animals in one place. This depends on the location. Odour emissions, in particular, remain an issue. Also, though some supplies such as feed can be transported by water, many road transportation movements (amounting to some 245 lorries per week) will remain necessary. The human health implications of large concentrations of animals are still being studied. To ensure that the Agrocentre makes a positive difference and is not tarred with the same brush as industrial pig farming, officials and entrepreneurs must give extra consideration to the interests of all parties when preparing the project. Officials must set conditions guaranteeing that the Agrocentre is and remains a genuine driver of sustainability. The entrepreneurs, for their part, must use the resulting economies of scale to invest in animal- and environmentally-friendly rearing systems, whilst also involving officials and local residents in their plans. Finally, they must work with chain partners to achieve a more sustainable chain which is financially beneficial for all partners. The Agrocentre spares the environment. Thanks to the air washer, ammonia emissions are cut by 85 per cent compared to standard stalls, odour emissions by 75 per cent and fine particle emissions by 90 per cent. In addition, the on-site power station and the absence of pig transportation by road also saves 42,000 tonnes of CO2, which is equal to the emissions from 4,700 households. Feed is predominantly sourced from the region or West Europe. The pigs are also fed green soy, which is grown with respect for people and planet and without genetic modification. Community/surroundings The nuisance caused to the local community is limited if the Agrocentre is located near a waterway and part of its supplies are transported by water. The countryside benefits because existing large-scale production in rural areas is shifted to agro-industrial estates at a good distance from residential centres. The market In terms of cost price, animal welfare and the environment, the Agrocentre can vie with the leading initiatives in the field of sustainable, non-organic pork. This suggests that Agrocentre meat could be positioned as an intermediate segment in the market at a 15 per cent mark-up on the going rate for pork. 40 Pagina 46
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