Paul Gainey
- 19-Feb-2008 - A new partnership has ‘blossomed’
between one of Cornwall’s largest daffodil
growers and the Environment Agency.
The Agency recently
launched an investigation after soil-laden
water was seen flowing into the River Fal
Estuary from nearby farmland. Officers traced
the source of the pollution to a daffodil
farm at Feock near Truro.
Fortunately, the pollution
was minor. However, if soils on sloping
fields are not managed properly, prolonged
soil run-off can harm environmentally sensitive
areas like the Fal Estuary which is designated
a Special Area of Conservation and a Shellfishery.
The investigation revealed
that in addition to heavy rainfall, several
factors had contributed to the soil run-off.
The way the bulb rows had been planted in
relation to the slope of the land and the
use of heavy machinery in wet weather had
caused run-off into a nearby ditch. Soil-laden
water had entered surface drains and then
flowed into the River Fal Estuary.
Areas known as ‘buffer’
strips are created around the edge of a
field. They are left uncultivated and act
as a filter; helping to prevent run-off
and trapping sediment. At the Feock site,
heavy tractors had compacted the soil in
the buffer strips creating furrows along
which the silt-laden water could flow.
As soon as they were
aware of the problem, the bulb growers responded
very quickly to prevent further pollution
and introduced a number of protective measures
including reinstating the buffer strip,
improving the field entrance and positioning
straw bales at the bottom of fields to intercept
and filter any run-off. The growers have
also agreed to plant bulbs along the field
contours and avoid downhill planting to
reduce the risk of run-off.
‘While bulb growing
might seem a relatively harmless activity,
as with most land management, it can have
a negative impact if a farmer does not follow
The Code of Good Agricultural Practice &
The Soil Code,’ said Chris Hitchings for
the Environment Agency.
‘We encourage people
involved in agriculture and horticulture
to think carefully before planting. Often
the run-off pathway between a cultivated
field and a river or estuary is not obvious.
This is where the Environment Agency can
work with bulb companies to make sure risks
have been identified and simple pollution
prevention measures put in place.’
‘In this case the bulb
grower responded very positively to our
concerns and is happy to work with the Environment
Agency to prevent a re-occurance of the
problem. We have agreed to undertake land
use risk assessments on bulb fields in 2008
and work with growers in a bid to reduce
soil run-off issues,’ said Chris Hitchings.
Agency workshop to help
farmers tackle scab and lice in sheep
Curig Jones - 15-Feb-2008
- Environment Agency Wales is inviting Pembrokeshire
farmers to a free evening of practical advice
on controlling sheep scab and lice safely,
including measures to protect themselves
and the environment.
The evening, arranged
with PLANED’s Sustainable Agriculture Network,
takes place at Nant Y Ffin Hotel & Motel,
Llandyssilio on Wednesday 27th February
at 7.30pm. It is free and all farmers in
the area are welcome to attend.
The control of scab
and lice is one of the biggest challenges
facing sheep farmers in Wales today. They
can have a significant effect on sheep productivity
and affect the welfare of infested sheep.
These free presentations
give farmers good advice on the effective
control of scab and lice, and introduce
new ways to cut the risk of polluting local
rivers with sheep dip.
Tea, coffee and a buffet
will be provided during the evening. To
book your place, please contact Philip Morgan
on 07876448410.
The evening presentations
will include talks by:
• Lynfa Davies, from
Hybu Cig Cymru, with the results of the
survey investigating the prevalence of ectoparasites
in Welsh sheep flocks
• Dr Peter Bates, Veterinary
Laboratories Agency - effective control
of ectoparasites in sheep including animal
welfare, human health and environmental
considerations
• John Hughes, NPTC
Sheep Dip Assessor –The NPTC Sheep dip competency
certificate assessment
Roland Long, the Agency’s
Catchment Co-ordinator for the River Cleddau
said:
“Treatments like sheep-dip
have caused pollution in Welsh rivers in
the past – and this can mean a costly court
case for the farmer. The point of these
evening sessions is for farmers to get free
advice on tackling scab and lice – and to
do it in a safe way for them and the environment.
“We want to work closely
with farmers, and give them advice on how
they can reduce the risk of causing pollution
– rather than turning up when something
has happened. Prevention is always better
than cure. We know that farmers have made
real improvements when using dips and other
pollutants over the last few years. We want
to help them keep up the good work.”
Steven Bradley, PLANED’s
Agriculture Manager, said:
“Ectoparasites such
as scab and biting lice are becoming more
and more prevalent and correct control methods
need to be employed for financial and welfare
reasons. Having a speaker of Dr Peter Bates’s
calibre will give vital information in the
fight against these parasites”
