October 23, 2007

Free-range chicken farm in Scotland may contaminate water supplies

An application for a 300,000-chicken farm near Edinburgh is giving rise to fears that its establishment would threaten water supplies at the capital.

The project, by Glenrath Farms, is said to be the largest free-range chicken farm in Europe.

Experts have warned that the farm could contaminate water supplies with life-threatening parasites.

A report by a consultancy charity, Living Water, commissioned by the Blyth Bank Action Group (BBAG), said there is a "high risk" that the development at Blyth Bank Farm, Blyth Bridge, would contaminate the groundwater which feeds into the aqueduct.

Glenrath Farms owner John Campbell said the project has been approved by relevant authorities and would go ahead.