Indeg
Jones - 11-Sep-2006 - Environment Agency Wales
officers are going out and about in Bala over
the autumn to give farmers advice on how best
to prevent pollution from dipping sheep affecting
nearby rivers.
Through a series of visits looking
to prevent pollution and by working with the local
community the Agency is aiming to reduce the risks
on the Afon Mynach, leading to a better quality
of river habitat in the area.
Following a serious pollution
incident in the Afon Mynach area last year, when
used dip affected up to 2 km of river, farmers
are being asked to look at how they dip their
sheep and how they can avoid similar incidents.
Following a thorough investigation
the Agency identified the cause of last years’
incident, and identified the farmer responsible.
During the investigation, the farmer was very
co-operative and has since made significant improvements
to his farm that should make sure that incidents
like this are avoided in the future. He received
a caution and had to pay for the cost of the investigation
and clean up.
This campaign is being supported
by the National Farmers Union, which worked closely
with the Agency after last years’ pollution incident
and is a key partner behind the ‘Stop Every Drop’
campaign, launched at Sheep 2006.
Merfyn Roberts Area Officer
from the National Farmers Union office in Rhuthin
said:
"Sheep dipping is an important
management tool to control sheep scab. However,
farmers need to take special care over the coming
months to prevent pollution and we will be working
in partnership with Environment Agency Wales to
try to prevent any pollution of the rivers."
Officers will be visiting farms
and smallholdings to get their help and support
in improving the use of sheep dip and dipping
practices. Visits will begin soon and continue
throughout the autumn, when most farmers are dipping.
Dylan Williams, North Wales
Agriculture Team Leader for Environment Agency
Wales said:
"With this campaign on
the Mynach we aim to advise and remind people
that good practice and care when storing, using
or disposing of dip can prevent long-lasting damage
to the environment.
"Farms and dipping facilities
will be checked for overall condition, implementation
of better stock management post dipping and review
of dip disposal sites and practices will help
reduce dip-related incidents. "Only a small
amount of sheep dip is needed to cause long-term
damage to a watercourse, cypermethrin dip formulations
are particularly damaging, being 100 times more
toxic to aquatic life than the traditional organophosphorus
(OP) formulas. River habitat can be affected by
just a few drops of these chemicals."
Advice on sheep dip use, disposal
and pollution prevention, including the Stop Every
Drop leaflet is available from Agency offices
on 08708 506 506. Calls are charged at local rates.
People in the Afon Mynach catchment who require
local information can contact Helen Clay on 01248
48 4051.
