Avara Foods criticises ‘opportunistic’ legal threat over river Wye pollution
Avara Foods has described as ‘opportunistic’ and ‘without merit’ the threat of a legal claim for compensation for those affected by pollution in the river Wye.
Avara Foods operates within the catchment of the river Wye, however all its birds are housed, and there is no run off from Avara’s farms into the river. Manure in the supply chain reaches the land when it is used as fertiliser by other farmers for their food and forage crops.
Manchester-based legal firm Leigh Day said it was planning to bring a claim against Avara Foods, alleging that chicken farming is polluting the River Wye and surrounding land. Court proceedings have not yet been filed.
The firm said people who live in Powys, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire could join the no-win-no-fee legal claim, alleging private and public nuisance.
The claimants may include people affected by the pollution such as swimmers, canoeists, walkers, clubs, organisations, anglers and businesses whose lives and trade has been hit by the worsening condition of the river, or the nuisance effects on those living near chicken farming, such as smells, insects and noise. The businesses affected will include those working in tourism, hospitality and leisure, Leigh Day said.
The civil claim is being handled by a team led by Leigh Day partner Oliver Holland, who said: “We consider that the significant decline in the health of the River Wye over the last few years is clearly linked to the significant increase in intensive poultry farming in the main brought about by Avara Foods.”
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