Farmers are urged to act as soil pollution rises in Devon & Cornwall. Runoff incidents have doubled, prompting Environment Agency action.
Heavy rain carried soil from fields in January, happening 25 times, which is double last year’s number. The agency visited 14 farms for checks and plans to visit 11 more.
Laura Bentley, who works with land management at the agency, noted short dry spells limit planting before rain. She suggested minimal soil work may not work anymore because the climate changed in Devon and Cornwall.
Winter crops aren’t growing, so bare soil washes away. Farmers lose crops and topsoil, as well as time and money to replant.
Farmers can better prepare for winter by first digging a hole to check for compacted soil, and then fixing it using the proper tools.
Next, have different tools to work soil deep down, and assess land risks using ALERT, focusing on high-risk areas first.
Furthermore, plan for failed crops and finally, stop runoff from reaching waterways.
Runoff breaking rules can lead to action. The agency offers advice, and they will warn or enforce rules if needed.
See dirty water from fields? It could harm roads or rivers. Call the agency’s hotline anytime at 0800 807060.