Thousands sign petition against plans for an ostrich farm in a Fenland village

Over 15,000 people have signed a petition opposing plans which would see ostrich's roaming Fenland fields.

Animal rights group PETA has sent the petition containing the names of thousands of local residents to Fenland District Council in a bid to convince planners to reject an application by Gary Patrick to set up an ostrich farm in Murrow.

PETA believe the plans would "confine sensitive ostriches in an unnatural environment and condemn hundreds of them to slaughter every year. Along with profiting off their flesh, the farm intends to sell their skin for 'luxury' leather bags and their feathers will be sold to 'adorn' homes."

A design and access statement drawn up by Alexandra Patrick of Alexandra Design, in support of Mr Patrick’s application, explains the aim of the farm would be to breed and farm ostriches to meet the growing demand for the bird’s meat.

It argues the proposals for Home Farm, Hooks Drove, would represent sustainable development and adds that because there is no sleeping accommodation planned for the site it does not matter that the land is in flood zone three - the highest risk of flooding.

The statement says: “Currently, there is a robust demand for quality ostrich breeding stock because there is a supply shortage of ostriches for processing in relation to the demand for meat products in this country.”

And explains the aim is to “begin raising a healthy product to help meet the ever-growing demand for an eco-friendly protein source”.

The statement continues: “Ostrich farming is comparatively a new agricultural business idea. Nowadays, many countries around the world have started ostrich farming as a new business venture.

“The feather of ostrich is extremely valuable, which is mainly used for home decoration purposes. Their skin is also very valuable, and their meat is considered as very delicious food and has high demand in the international market.”

But PETA argues: "If approved, every year, hundreds of birds would be crammed into the proposed building, treated as egg-laying machines, and denied the chance to do many of the things that come naturally to them – such as sharing parenting responsibilities, nurturing their chicks, and roaming vast distances."

In the petition, PETA points out that, in addition to causing cruelty to animals on a large scale, a facility of this kind would likely have many negative effects on the local area, including diminishing the character of the rural landscape and spoiling natural vistas. Ostriches are large animals capable of killing humans with their kicks and could be a danger to farm workers and nearby residents.

Elisa Allen, PETA director said: “Thousands of compassionate people have spoken, and Fenland District Council should heed their concerns for animal welfare, the environment, and the health of the community.

“PETA is calling for this plan to be scrapped, sparing hundreds of exotic birds a lifetime of suffering and an agonising death.”

PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat [or] wear” – notes that ostriches are social birds, who, in nature, can traverse up to 12 miles a day – even reaching speeds of up to 60 mph. They can naturally live for up to 40 years, but those exploited on farms are usually just 12 to 18 months old when they’re sent to the abattoir.

In addition to the petition numerous individuals have also written to the council to oppose the plans including Tara Ransome from March.

She said: "There is absolutely no good reason to farm ostriches, it's not necessary and it's completely unfair to the birds on every level. They will live a short and very miserable existence. I'd much rather our council did not encourage this kind of enterprise on any level. The demand for their meat is not high anyway. With the events of 2020 brought about by the consumption of wild/exotic animals, we should be discouraging the unnecessary breeding for consumption of unusual animals. This business will have no positive effect on the local area, it's not in anyone's interest to approve this."