We’ve joined forces with Friends of the Earth and Sustain to release new research today (7^th November) which shows the areas most at risk from factory farm pollution on an interactive map and exposes the impact of toxic waste on river catchments areas.

Rivers at risk

The interactive ‘Muck Map’ reveals that alongside the River Wye, which is widely known to have suffered significant damage from factory farms, the Severn, Great Ouse, Ouse (Yorkshire), Trent and Norfolk Rivers Group also top the list of river catchments where animal manure from factory farms is produced and therefore are most likely to be affected. The research found that up to 33,450 tonnes of manure – the weight equivalent to an astonishing 2,788 empty double-decker busses – is produced in the UK, every day by pig and poultry factory farms.

Stronger planning rules needed

Our Factory Farming Map, released earlier this year, found the number of pig and poultry factory farms increased by 12% between 2016 and 2023, with national planning rules allowing factory farms to be built even in areas already very polluted. 

Increasingly, factory farms are overwhelming local communities with their pollution, noise, smell and toxic air – endangering the health and welfare of local people, wildlife and the environment. Factory farming is also the greatest source of animal cruelty in the UK – where each year, over a billion animals are raised in overcrowded barns, feedlots or cages. 

Agricultural waste is the most common form of pollution preventing rivers from achieving good ecological status and is responsible for 70% of nitrate pollution in the UK. River water quality has been declining across the UK, yet, planning rules for England do not encourage councils to refuse applications for new factory farms where pollution is already a problem, despite the recommendation of an Environmental Audit Committee inquiry in 2023 that they should do so.  

Nutrient pollution means that soils in every region in England are in nitrogen surplus; some receive more than twice what they can absorb. If intensive livestock farming were to continue to expand at its current rate, annual nitrate production is predicted to be up by 32% on 2016 levels by 2028.

The nutrient pollution crisis is so severe that housebuilding in 74 local authorities in England has been stalled, with many of the areas that are too polluted to build corresponding with factory farming hotspots.

A ludicrous situation

“Housing large numbers of dairy cows, laying hens, broiler chickens and pigs permanently indoors or without access to pasture is a significant source of pollution,” says Anthony Field, our Head of UK.  “The spread of slurry from factory farms in England has already contributed to every region being polluted with nitrogen. It’s so bad in some places that protected areas are being damaged and this pollution must be offset to allow house building to go ahead.”

 “This ludicrous situation must stop immediately. Core Defra priorities are to ensure nature’s recovery and to clean up Britain’s rivers, lakes and seas. A core priority for Angela Rayner MP as the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, is to fulfil the new housing targets. Government departments must start working together to support local communities and allow local councils to reject planning applications for new factory farms. Failure to act will have a severe impact on the climate and nature crises.”

Take action

Please urge Angela Rayner MP to strengthen the law and build in a default to reject new permissions for factory farms so local authorities have the power to reject planning applications for new and expanding factory farms.