Philip Lymbery, CEO of Compassion in World Farming said: "Compassion is delighted the Welsh government has decided to call in the Powys mega dairy application.

"The result of the application at Lower Leighton Farm could help set a precedent for dairy farming in the UK. John Griffiths AM, the Welsh Assembly Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development has done the right thing to call it in.

"It means that the decision about whether to allow a 1000-cow industrial dairy unit, where the animals are kept indoors for most of the year, is being given the scrutiny it deserves.

"Dairying in this country is under threat from 'mega dairies' and this decision is important not just for those in Powys who object to the application but for the UK dairy industry as a whole. It's important for the welfare of our cows and to all the people like us who think that cows belong in fields.

"Compassion urged the Welsh government to call in this decision and we are pleased that they have. We know they will consider the many strong arguments against this application."

Compassion in World Farming was founded over 40 years ago in 1967 by a British farmer who became horrified by the development of modern, intensive factory farming. Today we campaign peacefully to end all factory farming practices. We believe that the biggest cause of cruelty on the planet deserves a focused, specialised approach – so we only work on farm animal welfare.