67 MILLION chickens are unaccounted for in the UK

"The evidence is clear: government decisions on poultry permits, and subsequent land use and pollution impacts, are based on misleading data. Our new research shows that in England alone, these inaccuracies could mean an undercounting of poultry by at least a third, with huge impacts on our natural world, as well as on the health of the rivers and waterways we all enjoy for bathing and drinking water."

"Analysis showed that DEFRA's survey reports bird numbers are up to 150 per cent lower than the other agencies. These agencies appear to contradict each other in their estimates of the numbers of chickens across four chicken hotspot counties - Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Shropshire and Herefordshire."

New figures suggest over 67 million chickens may be unaccounted for in the UK, revealing discrepancies in poultry data reported by the government. Experts warn that these inaccuracies could impact land, manure, and pollution management. In England, unreported poultry waste equates to 74 Olympic-sized swimming pools annually, affecting water quality and wildlife. Research indicates a potential undercount of poultry by at least a third, leading to misleading government decisions on permits and land use, with serious implications for natural ecosystems and public health.

Read at Mail Online