Overview

• The report estimates 10.4 million cubic metres of manure a year from the sectors, roughly equal to 4,160 Olympic pools.
• Production is highly concentrated in hotspots, with Breckland and South Norfolk needing 61% of farmed land for spreading to balance soil phosphorus.
• The UK raises about 11 million pigs and 1.1 billion chickens annually, with an egg flock of around 40 million producing roughly 12 billion eggs.
• Feed demand uses an estimated 520,000–580,000 hectares of wheat, or 34–38% of the national crop, linked to about 2,621 tonnes of pesticides.
• The study flags permitting gaps for many breeding sows and other pig units, while Defra cites updated water rules and more inspection funding as conservationists push for nutrient action plans and reformed permitting with farmer support.