The horse breeding industry is to support a campaign against plans to burn wood, meat and bonemeal at a Co Offaly power station.
Last month Offaly County Council invalidated an application by Edenderry Power Ltd to burn the material.
Its decision was due to technical problems with documents. The company is expected to submit a new application this week.
The proposal has been vigorously opposed by the Offaly and Kildare Anti-Incinerator Group (OKAIG), which claims the plant will be a waste incinerator with harmful emissions. This umbrella group is now also to be backed by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
Ms Niamh O'Sullivan, manager of the association, said it would support residents on behalf of members who were concerned at the application. She had written to the residents' association in Edenderry to express support, she said.
"We are concerned that the plant will discharge emissions by burning biomass and MBMs and that this could have an effect on the horse breeding industry and in the health area.
"Breeders and trainers are concerned about effects on health with a knock-on effect on the horses," she said.
The evidence to date would seem to be that these types of plants could cause health risks, she added.
However, the company says the wood chippings and meat and bonemeal (MBM) will be burned with peat to generate electricity.
Mr Dermot Kelly, general manager of Edenderry Power Ltd, said he disputed the use of the word "incinerator".
"We are proposing to co-fuel the power station with biomass in the form of wood material and meat and bonemeal. It will be carbon neutral. At the moment we are a peat-fired power plant. When we co-fuel, it will still power electricity. The new proposal doesn't make it an incinerator," he said.
The OKAIG chairman, Mr Shay O'Loughlin, said the plant was originally promoted as a peat-burning station only. Residents had reluctantly accepted this, as it was in keeping with the tradition of power stations in the midlands area - and it kept jobs.
However, the introduction of MBM would lead to a complete incineration of waste, he maintained. The planning application had the wording "waste recovery facility", so there was grave concern.
There were objections from every section of the community, including farmers and teachers, over the perceived health risks from emissions.
"We're going to fight this to the very end as we feel it is a total betrayal," Mr O'Loughlin said.
The Offaly branch of the Irish Farmers' Organisation has also put on record its opposition to the plan.
Mr Tom Loonam said the organisation had put the issue to the local executive and members were unanimously opposed.
"We are worried that emissions from the plant will get on to the land and be eaten by livestock and this will get into the food chain," he said.
But Mr Kelly said the introduction of co-fuel would not increase emissions, and there would be no health or environmental hazards.
He said the original application needed clarification on small issues. The company would probably submit its new application this week.
Locals are holding a public meeting in Edenderry GAA pavilion next Thursday at 8 p.m.