Free-range hens ‘polluting river’

ONE of Britain’s longest rivers is suffering an “ecological disaster” because of a boom in demand for free-range eggs.

Environment groups warn the River Wye is being turned into green sludge due to free-range chicken farms on the riverbanks.

Ten million hens have been moved into farms over the past decade next to the 134-mile-long river running from mid Wales along the English border into the Severn estuary.

Conservationists believe manure from the birds has caused a boost in algae in the water – turning it green.

Simon Evans, chief executive of the Wye and Usk Foundation, called for action “to protect the river from the nation’s desire to eat more free-range eggs”.

Mr Evans said: “The result is a river turning a putrid green every summer and having its ecology destroyed.”

Fears have now been raised over the severe algae blooms that stop sunlight getting to the plants and fish under the surface of Britain’s fifth-longest river.

The green layer can also reduce oxygen in the water at night – which can kill Atlantic salmon, barbel and brown trout.

The River Wye flows through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but is now failing its permitted levels of phosphate under the EU Habitats Directive.