More than 3,000 individuals and businesses who report being affected by the pollution in the Wye, Lugg and Usk catchments have now signed up to join a group claim against the Cargill UK poultry group and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.
The landmark figure of claimants has been reached just over a year after the claim was launched by a team of environmental lawyers at law firm Leigh Day.
The Cargill UK poultry group (which includes Avara Foods, Cargill Plc and Freemans of Newent) and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water are alleged to be the largest individual contributors to pollution of the River Wye.
The claim alleges that industrial-scale chicken production managed by Avara is the single largest contributor of river water pollution in the region.
The claim states that the chicken manure runs into the rivers Wye, Lugg and Usk and creates phosphorus and nitrate pollution that result in algal blooms, block sunlight, and deprive the water of oxygen.
Cargill, Avara and Freemans of Newent deny the allegations.
The claim was expanded in February this year to include Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water as a defendant, alleging that it is the second largest contributor of pollution. Leigh Day highlighted how phosphorus and nitrates present in sewage discharges also contribute to the pollution of the rivers. The expansion of the claim was made following a June 2024 Supreme Court ruling which opened the way to private nuisance claims for sewage pollution against sewage companies.
It is alleged that the pollution allegedly caused by the Cargill UK poultry group and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has affected residents’ enjoyment of the river, including when wild swimming and fishing and has negatively impacted businesses which rely on the condition of the river.
Earlier this year Leigh Day opened an office in Hereford to facilitate demand to join the legal claim. The legal team will also attend the Hay Festival where lawyers will be on hand to explain the claim to others with questions.
Leigh Day partner Oliver Holland, who leads the River Wye legal claim, said, “I am pleased to see that the claim has resonated so strongly with local residents and businesses. The rivers Wye, Lugg and Usk play an integral role in the lives of so many individuals and businesses and the powerful response from the community sends a clear message to alleged polluters that they will not stand by and allow these vital public resources to deteriorate further.”