The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that industrial chicken farming produces huge volumes of polluting chicken manure which, when spread as fertiliser on nearby fields, can cause phosphate from the manure to leech into rivers, causing algal blooms which starve the river of oxygen; further that the River Wye is close to complete ecological collapse, with damaging pollution from industrial chicken farming as a leading cause; notes that the Environment Agency reports ‘unacceptable levels’ of phosphate in over half of English rivers; and further that other rivers across the United Kingdom are also at serious risk from an increase in intensive poultry units; and further notes that a similar online petition by the Soil Association received over 30,000 signatures.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to introduce a ban on new intensive poultry units, to support farmers to exit this industry and to take action to reduce chicken consumption to more sustainable levels.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Ellie Chowns, Official Report, 27 January 2025; Vol. 761, c. 123.]
[P003035]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steve Reed):
Cleaning up our rivers, seas, and lakes, including iconic sites such as the River Wye, is a top Government priority. Restoring the river will require cross-border working between English and Welsh authorities to effectively influence the right changes on the ground. Government are working constructively with a range of stakeholders, including local MPs, farmers, and environmental non-governmental organisations, to tackle pollution in the Wye. The Environment Agency continues to target advice-led inspections, to check adherence to pollution prevention regulations—including the farming rules for water—in the area. Intensive poultry farms generally consist of enclosed buildings, without fields on which manure is spread and from which soil might erode. All farms, including non-permitted poultry farms, are subject to the farming rules for water, slurry silage and agricultural fuel oil regulations, and nitrates regulations (within nitrate vulnerable zones, which cover a large proportion of the River Wye special area of conservation), and are inspected for compliance by the Environment Agency.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has committed to consulting on national planning reforms to enable the farming sector to diversify and grow their businesses to deliver sustainable and higher-welfare food production. As part of this commitment, the Secretary of State committed to a series of roundtables with the farming sector. We will shortly be organising these, to understand in greater detail the issues faced by farmers, and how they can be addressed.
The Government are committed to developing a truly plan-led system, with a policy framework that is accessible and understandable to all. To that end, we intend to consult on future policy changes, including a set of national policies for decision making, in spring 2025.
DEFRA is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government ahead of its upcoming consultation on national development management policies to develop solutions to issues faced by farmers in the planning system. In addition, we are also examining ways to enable poultry farmers to improve animal welfare by reducing stocking density. We will be engaging with the sector and stakeholders to find an appropriate solution that improves welfare, supports food production and does not come at a cost to the environment. Sustainability is central to this Government’s mission, and animal welfare legislation will continue to play a crucial role in food security and sustainable farming.
That is why this Government are committing £5 billion for farming over two years, and are working with farmers to deliver a profitable farming sector and unlock rural growth. This will include a cast-iron commitment to food security, while introducing reforms to help farmers diversify their income streams to support them during poor harvests. As part of the plan for change, the Government have announced a series of reforms, delivering on the Government’s new deal for farmers, including:
Backing British produce: For the first time ever, the Government will monitor food currently bought in the public sector and where it is bought from. This is a significant first step to deliver on a manifesto pledge to use the Government’s own purchasing power to back British produce, with an ambition for 50% of food in hospitals, army bases and prisons to be local or produced to high environmental standards, making it easier for British farmers to win a share of the £5 billion spent each year on public sector catering contracts.
Using planning reforms to support food production: Ensuring our reforms make it quicker for farmers to build the buildings, barns and other infrastructure they need on their farms to boost food production.
Diversifying income streams: Helping farmers make additional money from selling surplus energy from solar panels and wind turbines by accelerating connections to the grid, and supporting them during difficult harvests and supply shocks.
A fair supply chain: Boosting profitability through fair competition across the supply chain. New rules for the pig sector will come this spring, ensuring contracts clearly set out expectations and changes can only be made if agreed by all parties. Similar regulations for eggs and fresh produce sectors will follow, with the Government ready to intervene with other sectors if needed.