This week in the Senedd, Liberal Democrat Senedd Member for Mid & West Wales Jane Dodds raised her concerns over the unprecedented growth of Intensive Poultry Units in Powys.

Ms Dodds’ comments come on the back of a report from the Guardian that the Welsh Government may block a new mega chicken farm in the Wye catchment. The unit, near Builth Wells, would house 100,000 chickens at any one time.

The Lib Dem MS has raised concern over the growth of Intensive Poultry Units throughout the County, stating that although she understands farmers have to diversify, it feels like Powys has reached a saturation point and a balance needed to be struck.

There are currently more than 20 million chickens in the River Wye catchment area. In Powys as a whole, it is estimated there are around 8.5 million heads of poultry in Powys – equivalent to 64 birds for every person – the majority on 100 large-scale farms raising more than 40,000 chickens each.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling on the Welsh Labour Government to introduce new planning guidance to place more stringent requirements on proposals for poultry units allowing local authorities to more easily reject proposals that are likely to contribute to water pollution.

Ms Dodds said: “As a resident of Hay-on-Wye myself I’m extremely concerned about pollution in the River Wye, as well as others rivers in Powys such as the Severn and Usk, the latter of which is actually the most polluted river in Wales.

“Whilst I support farmers’ need to diversify, a balance must be struck.

“It is my belief that we have now reached a saturation point when it comes to intensive poultry units in Powys. With Powys having received five times as many IPU applications than the rest of Wales combined since 2017 there has to be a limit.

“River pollution in the River Wye, Usk and others in Powys is a serious issue and it is vital that we do all we can to protect them and the nature they support.

“That is why I am asking the Welsh Labour Government to introduce new planning requirements on proposals for poultry units allowing local authorities to more easily reject proposals that are likely to contribute to water pollution.

“It is important to recognise however that the problems are not solely from IPU’s. Sewage dumping is also playing a huge role. This is something that both the UK Conservative Government and the Welsh Labour Government have powers to legislate against, but are failing to do so.

“We need to see a comprehensive effort to save our rivers, lakes and seas before it is too late.”