Post by Hoppy on Sept 4, 2006 17:22:31 GMT -1
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.
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.
