The exponential rise in large intensive poultry units (IPUs) in the valleys is a key driver of river pollution. Chicken droppings contain more phosphates - which starve fish and river plants of oxygen - than any other animal manure.
The figures can be revealed by the Guardian as campaigners bring a judicial review case to try to stop the development of another IPU that has been granted planning permission in Shropshire. The proposed unit would house nearly 250,000 chickens.
The Wye and Severn rivers run partly through the Shropshire, Herefordshire and Powys local authority areas. None of the three councils keep data on the number of IPUs that have been granted planning permission.
Denne historien er fra November 19, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra November 19, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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New year refresh A month-by-month guide to sorting out your finances
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When the patrons of Watford's Przym nightclub celebrated New Year's Eve a year ago, they were marking the end of an era - or rather, seven eras.
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London-listed mining company halts operations in Mozambique
The London-listed mining company Gemfields said yesterday it had temporarily halted its ruby mining operation in Mozambique after groups \"took advantage\" of political unrest to attempt to invade and set fire to its site, resulting in two deaths.
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