Oxford News
PETA petition against Oxfordshire chicken breeder farm plan
A petition from campaign group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), signed by more than 13,000 people, has urged West Oxfordshire District Council to reject the proposed site in Bampton.
PETA says the farm would cause cruelty to animals on a massive scale and pose serious environmental risks.
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Kate Werner, senior campaigns manager at PETA, said: “Thousands of compassionate people have spoken, and West Oxfordshire District Council must heed the concerns of its constituents and the general public over animal suffering, the environment, and the health of the community.
“PETA is calling for this plan to be scrapped to spare birds from a lifetime of suffering and a terrifying death.”
The group claims the facility would generate large volumes of manure and pollutants, especially ammonia, which could harm the surrounding environment.
PETA also argues the farm would “condemn nearly 40,000 gentle birds at a time to a life of misery” and contribute to wider animal welfare and public health concerns.
The organisation describes chickens as “social and sensitive individuals” who value their lives.
It says those kept for breeding are used as “egg-laying machines” and discarded or killed after around 40 weeks.
Chickens raised for meat are bred to grow rapidly, often suffering leg collapse under their weight.
The slaughter process, PETA says, involves being shackled upside down, their throats are slit, and they’re scalded in defeathering tanks, sometimes while still conscious.
PETA also warns that such intensive farming operations increase the risk of infectious disease.
Crowding stressed animals into confined, unsanitary conditions can foster the spread of pathogens, as evidenced by the recent bird flu outbreak in the area.
The group’s petition suggests that farms like the proposed site not only pose a threat to animal welfare but could also endanger public health by creating breeding grounds for illnesses that can transfer from animals to humans.
A planning application for the broiler breeder farm was submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council by P D Hook Group Limited in April.
If successful, they would build four new poultry houses at the site just north of Bampton with housing for approximately 36,000 female birds plus males, with 9,000 female birds in each house.
Deanery Farm, near to the Oxfordshire village, was purchased by P D Hook Group, a leading UK poultry breeder and rearer, in 2023.
The cover letter for the application states: “The UK Industry is short of broiler breeder farms, and consequently hatching eggs.
“The investment in broiler breeder farms is of significant importance for food security and ensuring there is a resilient and sustainable supply of UK produced hatching eggs to meet demand for the domestic market.”
With the hot weather returning to the UK this week, West Oxfordshire District Council has warned some bin collections may be brought forward to earlier in the day.
The authority says this will allow crews to carry out their work safely while avoiding the hottest part of the day.
Temperatures are expected to climb back up to 30C on select days next week, with the government issuing a heat health warning.
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A spokesman for the council said: “To ensure your waste is collected, we kindly ask residents to place their bins out the night before their scheduled collection day, or by no later than 6am.
“You can check your collection day online: https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/…/check-your-collection-day/
“These temporary changes are determined by our waste contractor and are typically introduced during prolonged periods of high temperatures.
“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping to keep our crews safe during warmer weather.”
An amber heat warning has been issued by the Met Office, scheduled for Monday, June 22 from 1am until 23.59pm on Tuesday, June 23.
The Met Office said: “Adverse health effects are likely to be experienced by those vulnerable to extreme heat”.
The forecaster also said motorists may see delays on roads plus anyone travelling by rail or air could also find journeys take longer.
The Refugee Flag was flown at Witney Town Hall to mark World Refugee Day.
Mayor Councillor Jane Doughty and Deputy Mayor Councillor Sandra Simpson raised the flag in support of refugees living in Witney and around the world.
World Refugee Day is observed annually on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
In an online post, Witney Town Council said: “This morning, the Mayor, Cllr Jane Doughty, and the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Sandra Simpson, raised the Refugee Flag at the Town Hall, marking World Refugee Day.
“The flag is raised every year on the flagpole as a gesture of solidarity with the refugee community here in Witney and across the world.”
Najeebullah Arab, of Mayfield Avenue, Grove, was today (Friday, June 19) sentenced at Oxford Crown Court to 10 years and 11 months’ imprisonment, an extended licence period of six years, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years and a lifetime restraining order for his victims.
The 40-year-old Afghan national pleaded guilty to sexually communicating with the 14-year-old child in May 2024.
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He was on court bail for that offence when he sexually assaulted a woman in her 20s in January this year and, less than a week after that, sexually assaulted, kidnapped and raped a 19-year-old woman in Wantage.
Senior investigating officer detective chief inspector Stuart May of the Thames Valley Police said: “Firstly, I want to pay tribute to the victims in this case, whose courage in coming forward has been vital in securing justice.
“They were rightly described as heroes by HHJ Nott during today’s sentencing.
“Arab is a dangerous sexual predator who targeted women and subjected them to traumatic and violent offences.
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“His actions have had a lasting impact on his victims, and it is right that he will now spend a significant period of time behind bars.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes and ensures he can no longer pose a risk to the public.
“I hope this outcome provides some reassurance to the victims and the wider community that offenders like Arab will be brought to justice.”
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