ANIMAL rights organisation PETA is calling on people to object to plans for a controversial pig farm near Foston.

Midland Pig Producers plans to use slurry from the farm, which could house up to 25,000 animals, to generate electricity for the National Grid.

The firm previously applied for planning permission to the district council and a public consultation drew more than 2,800 objections.

But Derbyshire County Council took over when it became clear the plans involved "substantial waste management" – part of the authority's remit.

It has begun a second public consultation on the plans.

Now PETA, which stands for People for Ethical Treatment of Animals is calling on people to object during the consultation period.

Its website says: "Please ask the Derbyshire County Council to refuse planning permission for this massive intensive farm, which would mean a lifetime of suffering for the pigs.

"According to the plans, 2,500 breeding sows would be kept in a rearing unit, and the facility would produce 1,000 pigs a week to be transported to slaughter. Pigs, like all farmed animals, are sentient beings, not commodities to be produced."

So far, 59 people have objected to the plans as part of the new consultation.

One from Miss C Yorke, of Teasel Drive, Woodville, says the farm could be bad for people's health. It says: "Crowding animals into unnatural conditions provides the perfect breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. These intensive systems of agriculture threaten the global environment and public health."

Midland Pig Producers says its plans will enable it to compete with the European meat market while keeping its pigs content.

The consultation closing date is May 13.