Call for Natural Resources Wales to take Wye pollution seriously

A WELSH Government body has been accused of downplaying pollution being caused by poultry farms along the River Wye. Reports suggest that 60 per cent of the waterway fails environmental targets for phosphates, and there’s strong evidence to suggest that the high number of poultry farms along the valley are a root cause.

However, in its recently published planning advice to councils within the Wye catchment, Natural Resources Wales downplayed the impact of the farms, stating instead that ‘phosphate is naturally occurring’ and that ‘bank erosion’ and ‘sewerage’ are possible sources. 

Nick Mesham, CEO of Salmon & Trout Conservation, has labelled the advice heavily flawed and called for tighter restrictions on poultry farms. 

“NRW has a responsibility to protect the River Wye. That responsibility cannot just be set aside or watered down in order to allow the poultry industry to expand” he said.

Reports suggest that 60 per cent of the Wye fails environmental targets for phosphates