- A report by the Wildlife Trusts has warned of significant environmental pollution stemming from the UK's pig and poultry farming sectors.
- The study found that 10.4 million cubic metres of waste, equivalent to 4,160 Olympic-sized swimming pools, are produced annually, with high nutrient levels causing pollution in rivers and harming aquatic wildlife.
- Pollution is particularly acute in concentrated production 'hotspots' across the UK, where current environmental regulations are often insufficient or not fully adopted.
- The report also highlights that over a third of the UK's wheat crop is used for pig and poultry feed, with its cultivation involving fertilisers and pesticides that further pollute the countryside.
- Conservationists are urging the government and industry to support farmers in transitioning to less polluting and more integrated farming systems to clean up rivers and meet environmental targets.
IN FULL
Pig and poultry farming harms environment on huge scale, report warns
