New research has revealed that Northern Ireland’s River Bann catchment is among the top 10 biggest producers of manure in the UK.
The interactive map, produced by Compassion in World Farming, Friends of the Earth, and Sustain, reveals the UK river catchments most affected by animal manure production.
Known as the ‘Muck Map,’ it aims to illustrate how animal waste from factory farms is affecting rivers and loughs.
According to the data, the River Bann catchment features as the eighth largest producer of manure in the UK with 1,823 tonnes of muck produced each day.
The findings show that every year in NI nearly a million tonnes of excrement is produced by factory farmed chickens and pigs.
It adds that between 2016 and 2023 factory farm installations have risen by 12% in the UK.
James Orr, Director of Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland said: “It’s about time the model of intensive factory farms and the thousands of tonnes of daily animal waste is truly exposed.
“We need a better agricultural system to protect the health of both habitats and human wellbeing.
“We need a ban on all expansion and new intensive units, and funding directed to regenerative farming.
“Farmers should be supported to transition away from the intensive model to a truly sustainable agricultural practice.
“Going for Growth strategy was designed to deliver profits for the big international companies at the expense of family farmers, Lough Neagh and public health.”
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Previous research by Friends of the Earth and Sustain had discovered that the 10 largest UK livestock companies are responsible for more waste than the 10 largest UK cities.
It also found that intensive livestock units are clustered in polluted river catchments including the Wye, the Trent, the Severn, Lough Neagh and the Broadland Rivers.
The groups behind the research also expressed concern about the long term effects of advice previously given by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on ammonia emissions.
Last month, the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) concluded that this advice was unlawful.
The environmentalists behind the Muck Map claim that it is possible that “this ‘unlawful’ advice has been given to applications for factory farms which have continued to receive planning permission”.
They added that factory farms “have a direct impact on many of Northern Ireland’s protected habitats as well as overwhelming local communities, human health and risking declining animal welfare”, while no single stretch of river in Northern Ireland is in good overall health.
Agricultural pollution is widely acknowledged as the main source of pollution to cause the toxic algal-blooms which have engulfed Lough Neagh, they added.
The group behind the research is urging the public to sign a petition calling for an independent Environmental Protection Agency, which can operate without ministerial interference, covers land and sea and has inspection, enforcement and prosecutions powers.
Anthony Field, Head of Compassion in World Farming’s UK Office, said: “Spreading waste from large numbers of pigs, laying hens and broiler chickens housed permanently indoors or without access to pasture is a major contributor of river pollution throughout Northern Ireland.
“Factory farming is also a major contributor to biodiversity loss, deforestation, climate change and soil degradation.
“It’s the biggest cause of animal cruelty on the planet, contributes to key non-communicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance and increases the risk of future pandemics.
“It’s vital governments support farmers transitioning towards regenerative farming systems and promote consumption of less but better meat and dairy.”
DAERA has been contacted for comment.