First court hearing for River Wye pollution claim
The landmark case seeks to address alleged pollution linked to industrial chicken production and sewerage management
A legal claim about pollution in the rivers Wye, Lugg, and Usk will be heard at the High Court in London on 27th April 2026.
This landmark case, the largest of its kind in the UK, involves more than 4,500 people and seeks to address alleged pollution linked to industrial chicken production and sewerage management in the region.
The defendants, Avara Foods Limited, Freemans of Newent Limited, and Welsh Water, are accused of polluting the rivers through operations that result in agricultural and sewage run-off.
All parties have denied these allegations
The hearing aims to determine how the case will be managed, including setting timelines and deadlines for additional parties to join the claim.
River Action, a campaign group, is supporting the legal claim and organising a show of support outside the Royal Courts of Justice on the day of the hearing.
A large puppet symbolising the Goddess of the Wye will be present alongside campaigners advocating for cleaner waterways.
The legal action argues that phosphorus, nitrogen, and bacteria from poultry manure and sewage discharges have caused pollution in the rivers.
River Action's head of legal Emma Dearnaley said:
“This case comes at a critical time for some of our most cherished rivers and the communities connected to them.
"We believe industrial-scale chicken production supplying major supermarkets and fast-food chains has placed immense pressure on the Wye, Lugg and Usk, driving nutrient pollution levels that these sensitive ecosystems cannot absorb.
"Sewage pollution must be reduced and stopped to reverse the decline of these rivers"
“River Action supports this claim because it gives a voice to thousands of people who refuse to accept the continued degradation of their rivers.
"Communities should not have to live with the consequences of sewage pollution or an intensive farming model that we believe pollutes their waterways. This action offers an important way to hold those allegedly responsible to account and secure the systemic change needed to protect and restore our rivers for generations to come.”
In response to the claims, a spokesperson from Avara Foods told us the allegations are misconceived:
"This Case Management Conference is a procedural hearing and does not consider the merits of the case.
"The allegations are misconceived and reflect a misunderstanding of both our business and the wider factors affecting river health.
"We are confident in our position and believe the claim is unsupported by any proper scientific basis"
“Environment Agency data has noted that there has been a downward trend in phosphorus levels which are now understood to be lower than they have been since the early 1990s. More broadly, independent research makes clear that river health is influenced by multiple factors that are unrelated to our operations."
Alongside the claim against Avara Foods, Welsh Water told us protecting the environment is a priority.
“Our work to improve river water quality is guided by data and assessments from our environmental regulators National Resources Wales and the Environment Agency.
“Between 2020-2025 we invested more than £76m on reducing nutrient levels to improve water quality on the Wye, Lugg and Usk rivers"
"Ofwat have allocated us a further ÂŁ87m to invest between 2025-2030 to continue this important work.
“We believe this case is misguided and risks diverting time and resources away from the shared goal of improving river water quality.
“Any financial penalties would directly reduce the funding available to invest in essential services and deliver the environmental improvements our customers expect.
“Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water doesn’t have shareholders and pays no dividends. The revenue we receive from customer bills is our sole source of funding for maintaining services and upgrading our infrastructure.
“Without profit-driven pressures, any financial surpluses are reinvested for the benefit of our customers, to improve services, support vulnerable households and address environmental challenges.”