top of page

COW MANURE: THE PROBLEM

During the summer months, a large portion of the manure is used to fertilise the fields. However during the winter farms are strictly prevented to spread on the fields as it can get into the water ways.  This causes a big problem: farms do not have the capacity to manage the volume of manure that is being produced.  Safely disposing of this vast quantity of toxic waste is a serious and expensive challenge for farmers.

THE UK'S COWS PRODUCE 36 MILLION TONNES OF MANURE EVERY YEAR, ENOUGH TO FILL THE SHARD

SPREADING

Agricultural pollution has grown as farming practices have intensified. Excessive slurry spreading can lead to harmful airborne pollution and damage to waterways.  There were 424 serious pollution incidents linked to dairy, poultry and pig farms between 2010 and 2016.  Many farms view the associated fines as part of routine running costs. 

'A

CHANGING COLOUR PALLET'

'People want cheap food, but we must ensure that our children inherit a world where water is safe and farming is sustainable.'

FURTHER READING

'Agricultural waste can pollute the air with large amounts of harmful gases such as ammonia, nitrous oxide and hydrogen sulphide.'

'Agricultural pollution is an “endemic problem” that is the major cause of the drastic decline in UK freshwater fish species.'

bottom of page