Avara Foods Limited is one of the largest poultry processors in the UK. <\/p>\n
Its subsidiary, Freemans of Newent, based in Hereford is also named as a defendant in the case. <\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Avara Foods told the BBC it shared concerns over the condition of the River Wye.<\/p>\n
“But we believe that this legal claim is based on a misunderstanding, as no manure is stored or spread on poultry-only farms that supply Avara Foods.<\/p>\n
“Where poultry manure is used as fertiliser, it is for other produce in other agricultural sectors,” the company said, adding individual farmers were responsible for how nutrients were used in their arable operations. <\/p>\n
The company said it employed about 1,500 people in the Wye catchment area and all its poultry was produced “to standards that are amongst the highest in the world”.<\/p>\n
“The focus instead needs to be on solutions that will improve the health of the river, addressing all forms of pollution and the effects of climate change, and for action to be taken accordingly,” it said.<\/p>\n
Welsh Water said the company had made “significant investments over recent years”, achieving “real improvements in water quality”.<\/p>\n
These included spending \u00a370m over the last five years to improve sites along the River Wye, work that was delivered “ahead of the target set by our regulators”, and \u00a333m for the River Usk.<\/p>\n
“Unfortunately, the water pollution caused by other sectors during this period has increased significantly, reducing the overall impact of the water quality improvements we have achieved,” a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
The company intended to “defend this case robustly”, they added.<\/p>\n
“The fact that we are a not-for-profit company means that any payments to these claimants would necessarily reduce the amount that we can re-invest in delivering further improvements for the benefit of all of our customers and the environment.”<\/p>\n
Environmental campaigners lost a high-profile legal challenge<\/a> against the UK government over pollution in the river Wye in 2024.<\/p>\n