14/06/2005 - An incident
involving sheep dip killed over 5,000 rare
white-clawed crayfish in Cumbria's River Mint
last year, a hearing at Kendal Magistrates'
Court revealed today (Tuesday).
Alan Hodgson, a farmer from Patton Bridge,
near Kendal, was fined £1,500 for causing
pollution of the River Mint and ordered to
pay a further £1,409 in costs to the
Environment Agency, which brought the prosecution.
"Most farmers use sheep dip responsibly,
but even the tiniest amount can have a disastrous
effect on crayfish and similar creatures if
the dip gets into rivers and streams,"
said Environment Agency officer Jon Mellor.
"We’d like to remind anyone who keeps
sheep to take particular care when dipping
them.
"We're happy to provide help and advice
on using sheep dip in a way that doesn't harm
the environment. By following Defra’s sheep
dipping Code of Practice, available from our
enquiry line on 08708 506 506, farmers can
avoid causing pollution incidents like this
one - which are not only devastating to local
rivers but can also lead to prosecution."
Julie Goulbourne, prosecuting, told the court
how on a Sunday evening in June 2004 a member
of the public had called the Environment Agency's
free 24-hour pollution hotline, 0800 80 70
60, to report thousands of dead crayfish in
the River Mint at Patton Bridge. Agency officers
were called out to attend the incident and
took water samples, which revealed alphamethrin,
a chemical commonly found in sheep dip.
Further investigations revealed the sheep
dip had come from Alan Hodgson's nearby farm.
Although he had checked his dipping tubs for
leaks as the Agency recommends, the sheep
had not been given an adequate 'draining off'
period after being dipped.
Ideally, sheep should be kept away from ditches,
streams and rivers for two weeks after dipping
– otherwise, the dip from their fleeces can
cause serious pollution problems. Mr Hodgson
told the Agency that he would now change his
dipping practices and apologised if he had
inadvertently caused the crayfish to die.
White-clawed crayfish are a rare species
and the only crayfish species that is native
to the UK. Nationally, disease and competition
from other, non-native crayfish species has
had a serious effect on white-clawed crayfish
numbers, making the Cumbrian populations particularly
important.
Last winter, the Environment Agency transferred
some crayfish from other locations to the
River Mint to encourage the population to
recover – although it could take a number
of years. The rarity of white-clawed crayfish
means the losses suffered on the River Mint
must be seen as having a significant impact
on the species as a whole.
Notes
Farmers can get copies of the sheep dipping
code of practice from the Environment Agency
on 08708 506 506. It can also be downloaded
at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/ground/sheepdip
Alan Hodgson pleaded guilty to the following
offence: On 5 June 2004, caused polluting
matter to enter a controlled water, namely
the River Mint at Patton Bridge, near Kendal,
contrary to section 85(1) of the Water Resources
Act 1991. Fined £1,500
