A Leicestershire egg farm has issued an apology to residents of a neighbouring village after a significant fly infestation made daily life unbearable for many. Sunrise Eggs, located on the outskirts of Sileby, acknowledged its operations were the likely cause of the problem, which residents described as 'intolerable' and 'horrendous'.
Earlier this month, villagers in Sileby, Leicestershire, reported a surge in fly activity, with some stating it was the worst they had experienced in years. Colin and Helen Readwin, who reside on Heathcote Drive, highlighted the severity, with their neighbour Lynn Hill adding that she couldn't even put food out in her living room due to the sheer volume of insects. The infestation reportedly continued for a month, causing widespread distress.
Sunrise Eggs, which operates from Seagrave Road, attributed the heightened fly numbers to a combination of factors, including the emptying of its manure store and recent warm weather conditions. Robert Stephenson, the firm's chief operation officer, conveyed the company's regret, stating, "We apologise to local residents for the temporary inconvenience and will take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of our operations on the surrounding environment."
Charnwood Borough Council had previously identified the farm as the probable source of the issue. Council officers visited the site and confirmed that, in addition to existing mitigation measures, further controls had been implemented following the clearing of a shed, an activity believed to have exacerbated the fly problem. These additional measures include increased insecticidal treatment and a review of waste management practices.
The council expressed optimism that the problem has been addressed but confirmed it would continue to monitor the situation. They are also collaborating with the Environment Agency, which is responsible for issuing the operational permit for the poultry farm. Sunrise Eggs has pledged to maintain open communication with the Sileby community, emphasising its commitment to being a responsible local organisation and working closely with authorities and residents.