A slim majority (56%) of the Dutch opposes the building of massive factory farms in the Netherlands, according to a poll by TNS Nipo for green group Milieudefensie.

Just 11% are in favour of the development of the huge farming units where thousands of cows and pigs are kept with no outside access.
Opponents argue the farms are not only bad for animal welfare but cause environmental problems (manure and smell) and are vulnerable to disease outbreaks such as foot and mouth.
Earlier this month, the province of Utrecht said it would ban the development of factory farms covering more than 1.5 hectares.