Farmers reminded to stop every drop

NFU Cymru is calling for farmers to remember the importance of stopping pollution from sheep as the dipping season approaches on farm.

First launched as Stop Every Drop in 2006, the campaign aims to prevent pollution and to protect sheep. The campaign is a joint stakeholder initiative looking to help farmers and contractors develop best practice for sheep dipping. Stopping run-off from dipping areas and livestock polluting ground and surface water are key areas.

NFU Cymru Livestock Board Chairman Ed Rees believes farmers have a strong interest in self-regulating the process and obtaining disposal licences before dipping to ensure they remain the right side of compliance. He said, "It enables them to retain access to a wide range of technical treatments, as well as preventing pollution, and to avoid penalties to Single Payment Scheme (SPS) payments under cross compliance rules.

"Previously there has been little guidance for farmers on how to improve sheep dipping practice and protect the environment. But this joint industry initiative aims to raise awareness of sheep dip pollution and develop a best practice working guide to reduce water pollution.

"It will help to secure farmers' access to future supplies of dip technology, as well as avoid prosecution and protect SPS payments."