13/02/2012 Inside Out West Midlands

Hallow, and welcome to Inside Out. On tonight programme: a pig farmer

near Burton-on-Trent, some say it is a price not worth paying. Does

the world really need more cheap meat? Is that the right direction?

De you love your local roundabout? People here are fighting to keep

theirs. I will chain myself to this roundabout until the bulldozers go

away. As a new wave of Irish emigrants come to Birmingham, will

they get a better welcome than they had 60 years ago? It said no Irish,

No Blacks, No children. This is Inside Out for the Midlands.

British pork producers said they cannot compete with cheaper imports

from countries like Denmark, but now this Burton-on-Trent company

says it has an answer to house more than 25,000 pigs. The plant has

outraged some. We believe what we are doing is

high welfare, getting the best possible standards we can. It isn't

right for a pig to live its whole life without feeding the Sun on its

back, or -- without having his nose in the ground. We were losing over

�1 million a year two years ago when the pig industry was in a dire

place. People are going to have to say this is going too far. Two pig

farmers with opposing views. This man is planning a second

agricultural revolution making bigger profits and providing

cheaper meat. This farmer runs an organic farm, he is appalled by

this brave new farming world. is a big difference. I agreed, but

there is a big cast in that method of farming. The plan to have more

than 25,000 pigs at this farm has led to a series of angry

demonstrations. Several well-known faces have added their faces to the

protest. I think it's barbaric, and really we should be creating more

humane farming, and more sustainable farming practice.

the world really need more cheaper meat? Do we want to be producing

huge volumes of cheaper meat? Is that the writer direction of

travel? Everything that's happening to our help would suggest otherwise.

-- health. A room with a view, a rumour that this woman fears will

be blighted by the application for the pig farm opposite, if it is

approved. People say not in my backyard, but this really is in my

backyard. Her son Tom suffers from a weak heart, he's worried that

thousands of pigs will bring additional hazards to his already

frail health. Having just come out of hospital, I'm not wanting to get

diseases, I'm very susceptible to it, and anything could be quite

serious to my heart. Can you guarantee to the people living next

door that they will be no spread of disease? There will be no spread of

disease, with regards to they won't be giving out -- with regard to

disease, can they guarantee there will not give our pigs any disease?

There will be far less problems than the units already in the

village. These large pig farms and large dairies are new developments,

the disease is associate with them, and the risks -- the diseases

associated with them and the risks are fairly new. We cannot tell

people if they will get sick. They cannot be certain that they won't.

This man runs a farm of about half the number of pigs, but his animals

are outdoors, and there were few objections. He is not against

indoor farming, and sees roles of both. I firmly believe that this is

the way I want to farm. The pigs have a lot of acres, they are

running around, the piglets are running around. They have lots of

fresh face and there -- they have lots of fresh air and space.

this farmer, where there is Marc Emmers brass. The waste from these

pigs provides energy, he likens this new farm to way modern luxury

hotel for pigs. Comfortable, spacious and green. This system

will not produce a smell. If he does, we will be shut down. This

town has a women's prison, and the farm will be like a second

according to local residents. have lived in the countryside or my

life, I have no problem with farming. I don't see this as

farming, this is industrial. year ago a dairy farm with Dewar

plan to build a "super farm" after months of protests and

demonstrations. Farms like this are commonplace in the United States,

they usually much bigger than anything found here. This woman

says that "super farm" buildings are too big for their size.

pigs going out to grass, they are euphoric. In large tell you must --

in large-scale European farms the pigs Arquette in such small space

they cannot turn around. This farm would not exceed regulations. They

say they are providing decent meat at a decent price. Most people now

get their meat from supermarkets, but rarely question wearer comes

from or how it produced. -- ready question where it comes from.

Research we did a couple of years ago suggests that two-thirds or the

meat brought into this country, the majority, would be illegal to

produce in this country. Why would it be illegal? Many the conditions

that the pigs are kept. In this country are kept in bigger pence. -

- bigger enclosures. The foreign produce coming in is getting sub-

standard systems. The government says we have a choice, farming

minister Jim Paice says we can maintain sentimental farming, or

set the industry on fire by producing more meet at affordable

prices. What British farmers have always done well is the more

extensive farming with higher welfare standards that may lead to

a more expensive product, but it is one we can all feel better about.

Earlier this month there was another demonstration against the

application in Derby. The battle to decide what we eat, and how we

produce it has only just begun. So, what do you think? Are you

prepared to pay more for your sausages and bacon? Or are you

being forced to shop for ever cheaper meat? Joined the boat on

our Facebook page. -- join of the vote.

This roundabout has made it on to wait candour Faure roundabout

appreciation Society. By the time the calendar comes out it will be

long gone. The people of Leek aren't happY.

They're a community up in arms. Taking to the streets. They're at

war, over a roundabout. This roundabout, in fact. And it's here

that the lines of battle have been drawn. Plans to do away with the

roundabout and replace it with traffic lights have left the locals

up in arms. Save our roundabout. I am passionate aobout Leek and I

will chain myself to the roundabout until the bulldozers go away! I'm

absolutely thrilled that so many people have turned out this evening.

You can't get rid of the roundabout, I love looking at the flowers,

they're so beautiful. They brighten up the day as you go past and look

at them. So, why on earth are people fighting to save a

roundabout? I'm off to see a little girl who might be able to shed some

light on it all. If they change your roundabout and put lights in,

how would taht make you feel? make me feel sad, traffic lights

don't do much, just stop traffic. As a member of the roundabout inner

circle, Alex even asked for a royal helping hand. I wrote to Prince

Charles but he didn't do anything, so we're going to number 10. You're

going to hand in your petition and hopefully get them to change the

minds of the local council. Yeah. Alex's grandmother Pam has been a

driving forces behind the campaign. Pam, you're not happy at all about

this roundabout being dug up? people of Leek are really angry,

that for the sake of a new supermarket, the roads are going to

be changed, the iconic roundabout infront od the war memorial will be

gone. This sense of collective community spirit has inspired Pam

to go one-step further, coming out of retirement to become Deputy

Mayor. We're hoping that somehow we can get all the parties involved to

back to the drawing board, and hopefully consult with the people

of Leek of the new plans. And it's in line with Sainsbury's plans to

build a new supermarket in town that the roundabout changes have

come, well, about! The store, which will be built a mile down the road

brings with it the promise of 600 jobs, fresh investment and plans to

alleviate traffic congestion in the town centre by redesigning the road

newtworks. Although locals have little objection to the new store

being built, the roundabout plans have got one baker changing her

focus from cakes to cameras. Sarah Gayton has been filming the whole

campaign. This is such an important story to tell, these people, as

part of the big society, they need to listen to the people of the town.

I thought, if it's on the radio, it's brilliant, but it will go, so

we needed some kind of visual record to show what happened,

because I knew people wouldn't listen. Who's going to listen to

us? So what's so special about this roundabout, I mean to the untrained

eye, it looks like most other roundabouts, it's circular and well,

cars go round it, So, this is THE roundabout, why is so special?

is Leek and this is our roundabout. Absolutely gorgeous, it's the

gateway to Leek. In the Spring, around March, the daffodils are

stunning. It keeps people happy, it is our roundabout and we want to

keep it for future generations. Well, I think I'm getting the

picture, this roundabout certainly seems to mean a lot and these guys

are well up for the fight. Wonder if their message is getting

through? Well, unfortunately, according to Sainsbury's it might

all be too late, the roundabout indeed seems set to go it's all

just a matter of ironing out the new plans. In a statement they

said: Councillors' decision to approve our plans was not

challenged during the three-month judicial review period. In a

meeting last year with local representatives we discussed the

sensitivities and constraints of the overall scheme. We are pleased

that the Leek Public Realm Steering Group recently voted to proceed

with a local architect's option, and that it will be consulting the

public again in due course. So, at the heart of this there

appears to be two councils, the county council, who won't talk to

us but sent us a statement, and they're saying that they're only

following the plans layed out by the district council's masterplan

for Leek. So let's see what the District Council have got to say.

With young Alex firmly on the case, I joined her to get some answers.

Why can't we save the roundabout when so many people want it?

like the roundabout to stay but it's not possible. We are going to

incorporate it into a garden area at the bottom of Derby Sreet. You

will have flower beds and trees sitting there, but it has to moved.

Job creation on the Moorlands, economic investment, flower beds

don't put food on the table. might not put food on the table,

but it's got people on this coach" It's seven o'clock in the morning,

we on the route to London, and there is a good spirits. What I'm

looking forward to most? Are you nervous? A little bit. But excited?

Yes. I'm prepared, if the bulldozers come, I'm prepared to

change myself to the lamp-post in the middle of the roundabout.

Someone will have to remove me. If I do that, I will get a lot of

people with me. That is quite extreme? That is how passionate I

am. Shall we get in to investigate around about? Alex, we spoke to a

local councillor, you be done that a local MP -- even met a local MP,

what's left to do? We are going to Downing Street. Excited? Nervous? A

little bit. I will look after you. We have handed in the petition,

anything else to achieve? We have to say the roundabout, when not

going to stop Punto has been saved. Let's hope that's done the trick.

It will be saved. That's the end of Finally tonight, it seems that the

Irish are coming. Economic problems there have led to a new wave of

Irish immigrants looking for work in Birmingham. But will they get a

better welcome now than they did 60 Birmingham has been the destination

of choice for a deft -- generations of Irish immigrants. For many years

it has had the third larger St Patrick's Day parade in the world

and has a community of over 100,000 At Digbeth coach station, this has

been the main arrival point for thousands of Irish migrants coming

into Birmingham over the decades. For less than a mile up the road in

St Ann's they will get a warm welcome at the Irish and Birmingham

information and welfare centre for. We have about 150 people attending

during the week, and we put a range of activities on. We provide them

with a social setting where they can come. Some of these people

might not see anyone from one end of the week to the next.

Established in 1957, they provide welfare support to the settled

Irish community as well as an information service for the latest

arrivals looking for work. It tends to be probably 18 up to 30 year-

olds coming at the moment. The demand on our service is a lot less

than it used to be for the generation coming in because they

have already made arrangements. global recession hit Ireland hard

and unemployment stands at 14 %. Property prices have fallen through

the floor. Now there is a new generation. Most Irish immigrants

in recent years have further education qualifications like a

degree or diploma, making them rather different from earlier

generations, many of whom went to work in unskilled services or

construction. There is no doubt the one of the areas that has had the

most effect is young graduates coming out, because you have taken

away their jobs in medical trade, the Education Trade, and the

natural place for them to look is the UK. Graduates like Niall

McCooey, after studying law in Ireland, secured himself a position

with the law firm in Birmingham. What brought you to Birmingham?

currently studying in the jewellery Quarter to start work with the law

firm in September. The why Birmingham? Why not London? A good

point. I think mostly because I have some family here and I could

find my feet and get started and have some support. That influenced

my choice, and also the fact I got a job. He is typical of young,

well-educated professional migrants coming out of Ireland today. Very

few of his friends have remained at home. I came from quite a rural

part of Ireland, and many went to Dublin and Belfast and quite a few

of my friends have been lucky and most of them have got work in those

cities, and then some have come to the likes of Birmingham and London,

and some have even gone further afield to like Australia and the US.

Michelle tells a similar story. She is an occupational therapist, but

when she finished her studies the any place she could find work was

in Birmingham. I know people people in occupational therapy and Ireland

would have walked into a job, and I know people you have done it. There

would have been local work and short-term contracts, but they have

stopped that now. What has the process been like in looking for a

job back home? Has it been checking website regularly? Every day. I am

on the same website constantly. My parents by the newspaper every day

and check them, and I check every day, because there is such demand

there could be something in the morning that is gone by the bin.

How much do you miss your friends and family? I miss home every day.

I don't think I will ever lose that ever. It is five-and-a-half years

and I have not lasted. It wasn't so bad when I was studying, because I

had Easter, the summer and I would look towards that, but when I got

the job it was like, this is it, I have no set time to go home.

what is it about the Irish economy that for generations has forced

millions of people to leave their homes in search of work? The Irish

economy is about 4.5 million people, roughly the size of the West

Midlands conurbation, Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell, all put

together. It is a relatively small economy and people will typically

look to go abroad to develop opportunities. So it is natural. It

is what you would do if you lived in Birmingham or Manchester. It is

what you do if you live in London. You can even look around at

different places. Over at the Irish in Birmingham, they understand how

hard it can be, when they arrived looking for work in the 50s and 60s,

Britain was a very different place. Life was far from easy. Activity by

the IRA and political tensions meant that the Irish were simply

not welcomed. I didn't really like it to start with anyway. No Irish,

No Blacks, no children. Those were on the windows if you're looking

for Deeks. That must have been tough to begin with. You had left

home and... Yes, it was very hard. That was not the type of thing we

were used to. Everybody was the same. You would go out, get on the

bus and no one would speak. I am sure it was because you are Irish,

because as soon as you open your mouth they know you are. After many

years, the Irish had made inroads in Birmingham, becoming a vital

part of the wider community and infrastructure. But the pub

The bombs were planted early in the evening, around �30 of blasting

On a cold November night, the bombing of two city-centre pubs

killed twenty-one people and injured 182. It was the worst

terrorist attack on mainland Britain at the time. Birmingham was

a home-from-home for the Irish. The pub bombings on their doorstep left

them feeling killed riven and anxious. The community, once again,

pushed into isolation. I was on the bus and I was outside Digbeth coach

station when the bombs went off. You were so ashamed of the bombings.

You had to hold your head down. felt ashamed? Why wouldn't you?

Lives were lost. No matter who you are, you are a human being. Why

take lives away? These days the Irish court is a proud focal point

in Birmingham and the prejudice once held against them is long gone.

I think the young people coming over don't have those issues to

face. I think you'll find younger people coming over from Ireland,

those bombings will never be mentioned and it won't come up in

conversation, or the fact they are Irish, or any risk they might

present. It is just not there anymore. So things are different

now, but what worries Irish migrants today is whether they will

find any work when they get here. But experts in Ireland are also

concerned that history shows the likelihood of young immigrants ever

returning diminishes the longer they are away. So many people are

emigrating at the moment, and they come to cities like Birmingham, and

I suppose a lot of them are in Korea's where they could move back,

where as the job I am going into it is not that simple. I guess for

them it is a more short-term view, or at least medium-term. Whereas

for me it is medium up to long term. Paul Michel, the opportunity to

return to her home in Ireland has finally come -- for Michelle.

Thankfully I handed in my notice last Monday and it all came out all

of a sudden. I have got a job in Northern Ireland, about an hour

from where I live and I have taken it. I am going home in the next

month. How do you feel about that? I'm very, very excited. The key

question concerning emigration now is whether the economy in Ireland

will recover in time to allow those That is all we have got for this

week, but joined me again next Coming upon the programme next