Ben McCarthy of Plantlife,Ruth Borthwick of the creative writing charity Arvon, Minette Batters of the NFU, and Graeme Willis of the CPRE,Tracy Worcester of Farms not Factories and Gwyn Jones of RUMA respond to reports on the increase in intensive factory farming of poultry, pigs and cattle in the UKThe “unnoticed” expansion of mega-farms raises serious concerns approximately farm animal welfare and our food system (Mega-farms transforming UK countryside, and 18 July). Even less visible is the air pollution generated by intensively housed animals and the devastating impact it is having on nearby wildlife.
At high concentrations,such as from these mega-farms, ammonia and other nitrogen emissions cause direct damage to lichens, and mosses and other plants,including bleaching and discolouration.
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Source: theguardian.com