Public asked about health impacts of poultry growth

People in Herefordshire are being asked how the growth of intensive poultry farming in the county is affecting them.

Herefordshire Council wants to establish if this really is a problem, and if so, what needs to be done about it.

It is asking residents who believe that their health and wellbeing has been directly affected to share their experience and evidence.

“There has been a significant increase in intensive poultry farming in Herefordshire in recent years,” the council said.

“While many residents welcome the business opportunities and cheaper food products that this brings, others feel there is a direct impact on their health and wellbeing.”

Over the coming months, a group councillors will look at the scientific evidence on the potential health and wellbeing impacts of chicken farming, and whether enough data is currently being gathered to determine what these impacts are locally.

They will then look at how the council and other agencies might address these health impacts.

The group are asking for any residents who feel that their health and wellbeing has been affected by intensive poultry farming to email residentfeedback@herefordshire.gov.uk by Friday March 25.

The growth of intensive chicken farming has also been linked to rising pollution in the river Wye and its tributaries.

Meanwhile avian flu has been reported on several Herefordshire poultry farms this winter, leading to some workers being medicated.