George Monbiot is wrong in his belief that chicken farms harm rivers (Besieged by lobbyists, will UK ministers protect our ecosystems? No, they’ll chicken out, 23 July). Our farms have no direct contact with the soil and operate under permits issued and regulated by the Environment Agency, giving transparency on how manure is managed on site and where it goes when it leaves.
The chicken manure produced in the UK is used either for energy generation or as a fertiliser by other farming sectors. Each destination has full traceability, and manure will often be transported across the country to be used where it is most needed.
It may be convenient to blame a sector he does not like for a problem, but that diverts attention from addressing the issues that some of our rivers are facing. At some point, the reality of food production, and the fact that we do it well and responsibly, will have to supplant the social-media-friendly rhetoric.
Richard Griffiths
Chief executive, British Poultry Council
By dismissing modern poultry farms as “factories”, George Monbiot does little to advance the serious discussion needed about the challenges of producing the nation’s food while also protecting and enhancing our environment.
Policymakers have a responsibility to hear from all those affected by their decisions, not least farmers who have long balanced their custodianship of the land with producing our food. Constructive dialogue between the farming sector, government, regulators and the public over issues such as planning reform is essential if we are to meet environmental requirements and achieve our pressing need to secure domestic food security.
British poultry farmers are continuing to support sustainability by investing millions of pounds into new technology and infrastructure, ensuring valuable nutrients that are crucial to producing food are utilised responsibly.
The real challenge is not choosing between food and nature, but finding practical ways to deliver both. If Mr Monbiot wants to be part of the solution, he should come out with me and visit one of our farms, where he will see that British poultry farmers remain fully committed to playing their part.
Will Raw
Chair, NFU Poultry Board
