Feargal Sharkey (Privatised water firms are imperilling our health and poisoning our rivers. Act now: flood the streets with rage, 21 August) didn’t mention animal sewage, in the form of runoff and leakage from farm and field, that also makes its way into our rivers. As far as chicken manure is a problem (it is), there is a solution.
There is a recycling plant in Crickheath, Shropshire, which converts a ton of chicken manure into immediately usable fertiliser/soil conditioner in only three hours. Drying and pelletising takes another two hours.
The process uses heat and enzymes, and produces no emissions or smells. There is no waste, as the carbon and nitrogen does not gas off. Bacteria are killed by the 80C heat.
The technology was invented and developed in Taiwan, where it has been widely used for years, so we know it works. A similar technology deals with food waste and oil palm waste in Indonesia, producing a soil conditioner which, by replenishing the soil, minimises further deforestation.
Shouldn’t this process be part of any environmental strategy in this country?
Dave Briant
Oswestry, Shropshire
