Intensive Poultry Farms Continue to Pollute Wye and Severn Rivers, Campaigners Warn

Intensive Poultry Farms Continue to Pollute Wye and Severn Rivers, Campaigners Warn

New figures show that industrial poultry units (IPUs) across the Severn and Wye raise almost 51 million chickens—equivalent to 79 chickens for everyone in the area. This fast increase in large-scale chicken raising has become a primary source of river pollution, particularly harming the local ecosystems of these significant rivers. Arguing that the environmental cost of industrial chicken rearing is unsustainable, campaigners are now suing to prohibit the growth of such facilities.

In what ways could industrial poultry farms contribute to river pollution?

The growing frequency of IPUs in the Severn and Wye river valleys has been associated with severe pollution issues. One of the primary contaminants is chicken dung, which is heavy in phosphates. Phosphates help deplete oxygen in the water, affecting aquatic plants and fish.

One local academic and campaigner with River Action remarked, “The exponential growth of these intense poultry units is directly contributing to the degradation of our rivers.” “Without quick action, the Severn is at risk of facing a similar ecological disaster; the effects are already devastating the River Wye.”

Campaigners have voiced worries about the government and municipal authorities not sufficiently tracking the growth of these chicken farms. This is particularly clear in Shropshire, which has some of the densest IPU concentrations in Europe.

Why Are New Poultry Unit Planning Applications Drawing Controversy?

A fresh court review regarding the Shropshire planning clearance approved for another intensive poultry facility is being processed. The proposed facility would hold around 250,000 chickens, complementing the 20 million already kept in the area. Citing the applicants’ agreement to convey the excrement to an external anaerobic digestion unit, the Shropshire council awarded the planning approval despite obvious environmental hazards.

One activist questioned the choice, claiming that the suggested unit violates government policies suggesting a minimum spacing of three kilometres separating poultry farms. Given that the new facility is approximately 400 metres from an existing one, questions regarding the transmission of avian flu and the total environmental impact arise.

The protester claimed, “Shropshire council is failing to assess the cumulative effects of these intensive poultry units.” “This goes against case law and national planning policy and is endangering the local biodiversity and river health.”

What effects pollution has on the Wye and Severn Rivers?

The pollution from extensive chicken rearing has already seriously harmed the Site of Special Scientific Interest River Wye. Natural England last year dropped its ecological classification from “unfavourable – recovering” to “unfavourable – declining” due to phosphate, nitrate, and ammonia contamination. Local environmental groups are concerned that another essential waterway in the area, the River Severn, might soon have similar difficulties.

AA Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) member said, “These pollutants are suffocating our rivers.” “We have to stop the spread of industrial chicken farming before we lose these essential habitats.”

Angling Trust water-quality monitoring data shows the significant effect of fertiliser contamination. While 59.6% of sites on the River Severn had nitrates over allowed levels, more than 61% had phosphate levels above the recommended limit.

Why is Shropshire still building poultry units in the face of growing concerns?

Shropshire is the only county in the region still allowing planning clearance for new IPUs, the rising worries. Powys, in Wales, banned similar applications following intervention by the Welsh government in response to concerns about more damage to the Wye and Severn rivers. By contrast, Herefordshire has not approved fresh IPU planning clearance since 2021.

“Shropshire seems to be oblivious to the scale of the problem,” stated a local campaigner. “There’s little action being taken to understand the cumulative impact of the millions of birds housed here; the council doesn’t even know how many poultry units are running in the county.”

Is there enough regulatory control to safeguard the environment?

The Environment Agency has approved many IPUs in the region, including 82 in the Wye catchment and 103 in the Severn catchment. These facilities follow rules, including regular inspections. Nevertheless, public concern is still vital, as some claim the present regulations are inadequate to save the environment.

“While there have been improvements in regulation, the problem is far from solved,” said a National Farmers’ Union environment and land use consultant. “Although there is still a long way to go; farmers are dedicated to bettering water quality.”

According to the Environment Agency, farmers were obliged to take remedial action to minimise the impact of their activities following over 12,000 recent farm inspections. Local groups counter that these steps are insufficient to guard the waterways against continuous pollution.

Why Extensive Monitoring and Action Are Needed?

Campaigners demand stricter rules to save the environment and more thorough supervision of industrial poultry facilities as the legal struggle over the new IPU gets underway. “We need a complete strategy to guarantee the long-term viability of our rivers,” stated one activist. “This cannot be taken as voluntary measures alone.”

The Welsh government is monitoring the situation in the interim and has not yet decided on the twelve IPU planning applications put on hold in 2023. The result of the court review in Shropshire could be important in determining the course of industrial chicken farming in the area.

A local campaigner said, “We are committed to ensuring that farming and food production are sustainable and do not come at the cost of our rivers and biodiversity.” “We ought to act before it’s too late.”

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