Agency warns farmers of woodchip danger

After a spate of incidents Environment Agency Wales is warning farmers to be wary of the dangers in taking woodchip from recycled waste wood as bedding for livestock.

The Agency raised the alarm after at least four incidents on Anglesey where the woodchip is also reported to contain large amounts of potentially harmful items such as glass, nails, treated wood, plastic and metals.

All of these could injure livestock, pollute the soil and the wider environment and enter the food chain.

It is also a fire hazard and needs to be stored in the right way to prevent it starting a blaze.

With the price of straw now at £75-£90 a tonne many landowners see woodchip as a cheap, or even free, alternative.

But this can be a false economy as landowners could be left with large bills to clear the land and might face legal action.

Now the Agency is working with the farming unions to make sure landowners become aware of the dangers and how to avoid them.

David Edwell, North Wales Area Manager for Environment Agency Wales, said: "With the price of straw rocketing woodchip can be a tempting alternative for landowners.

"But people really need to be aware of the potential pitfalls. Their animals could end up with nasty injuries and the landowner could end up with a significant bill to clear the fields.

"We are taking enforcement action against the waste operators we believe to be doing this but in the meantime it’s important that farmers know about this danger.

"If they agree to take woodchip on their land they must be absolutely sure that it contains only untreated woodchip, and check that what turns up by the lorryload is what was promised. If it contains anything other than untreated woodchip it is illegal.

"Anyone thinking of using woodchip in this way should get in touch with us first to discuss their options and register for a waste exemption certificate."