About the case:

We are working to tackle the UK’s legacy of toxic industrial waste dumped in the 60s and 70s by Monsanto and others in sites around the UK. 

The chemicals dumped include Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and other Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)). These chemicals are so harmful and long lasting they are called “forever chemicals” and lead to irreversible harm to animals and humans. They are known to cause cancer in animals, including humans, as well as damage to the immune, reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems.

Without proper action, these chemicals continue to leak out of these sites, a process exacerbated by climate change and heavy rainfall. They contaminate our countryside, rivers and seas and as a result our food sources.

The UK government has legal obligations to deal with toxic chemicals but has so far not done enough. Local authorities have a duty to identify and remediate contaminated land but in most cases are either failing or refusing to do so. Polluters who dumped waste have a duty to pay for pollution they cause but have largely avoided responsibility.

The problem has been highlighted recently through testing carried out by Dr Dave Megson in conjunctions with the BBC as part of a radio podcast The Last Witness, June 2024 and the TV programme: Buried with Michael Sheen, August 2026. The testing carried out showed PCBs significantly above average UK levels at various sites across Wales and England.

With your help we want to tackle this toxic legacy by holding government and local authorities to account and putting pressure on polluters to pay for the mess they created. We are currently looking to raise an initial £35,000 to help us bring judicial review proceedings against the UK government. 

Thank you for your support