FARMERS should not be accountable for polluting effects of manure spreading in Wye Catchment, say environment lawyers who are representing thousands of residents in their legal claim against food production giants Avara Foods and sewage operators Welsh Water.

Wye pollution environmental lawyers at Leigh Day have criticised messaging by defendant Avara Foods Ltd, which appears to shift responsibility on to local farmers.

In response to the legal claim filed at the High Court last year, Avara stated that “individual farmers are responsible for how nutrients are used in their arable operations”.

It is alleged that a large portion of this pollution has been caused by poultry farm operations run by Avara Foods Limited and its subsidiary Freemans of Newent Limited.

It is argued that run-off from the industrial-scale quantities of chicken manure has resulted in high concentrations of phosphorus leeching into the rivers.

And as a result, members of the community are bringing a legal action asking these companies to take accountability for the scale of the manure they have caused to be produced and spread within a single UK river system.

Avara stated: “Where poultry manure is used as fertiliser, it is for other produce in other agricultural sectors. Individual farmers are responsible for how nutrients are used in their arable operations. Avara is not involved in any arable operations and has no control over this activity.”

The statement is disputed by the claimants in the Wye, Lugg and Usk claim, who feel that no individual farmer can be responsible for the pollution of an entire river system spanning three counties.

Leigh Day partner Oliver Holland, said: “The claimants in the Wye, Lugg and Usk case do not agree with Avara’s statement regarding local farmers.

“This claim aims to hold alleged polluters in the Wye, Lugg and Usk catchments to account for the damage caused there.”