CELEBRITIES urged Nando’s yesterday to take responsibility for its supply chain, warning that industrial chicken farms are killing Britain’s rivers.

A group of high-profile figures, including comedian Jo Brand, actor Joanna Lumley and television presenter Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, have written an open letter to the company, backed by environmental groups such as River Action and The Rivers Trust.

It highlights that the River Wye is on the brink of collapse, primarily due to waste from intensive chicken farming, and calls on the restaurant chain to implement a plan to protect Britain’s rivers in their sustainability policy. 

TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham said: “If Nando’s wants to position itself as a sustainable and ethical company, it cannot ignore the environmental catastrophe in its supply chain. 

“The Wye is dying and companies profiting from its destruction must take responsibility.”

River Action’s Amy Fairman said: “The Wye river is on the brink of ecological collapse and companies like Nando’s have a moral responsibility to ensure their supply chains are not driving this destruction.”

A Nando’s spokesperson said: “We care passionately about the environment and having a positive impact. We have a water policy in place for all our chicken suppliers.

“We will meet with River Action and we are happy to discuss with them how this might be further improved.

“We are not polluting the River Wye, and our supplier has assured us that no manure is spread, stored or otherwise disposed of on any of the chicken farms we source from. 

“We will be conducting an independent third-party audit to provide further assurances."