Pesticides in freshwater down by 23%

The level of pesticides found in rivers and reservoirs in England and Wales has decreased by 23 per cent, according to figures published by the Environment Agency today (Tuesday).

The findings, which come from the Environment Agency's annual pesticide monitoring programme, show that levels of the most commonly found pesticides in freshwater in 2003 were down by 23 per cent when compared with the average for the previous five year period.

This decline in water pollution from pesticides could be down to a number of possible factors. Farmers continue to improve the way they apply pesticides to their crops and fields to minimise impact on the environment under the Voluntary Initiative. These efforts may have resulted in lower levels of pesticides in freshwater. However, the low levels of rainfall in autumn 2003 may also have resulted in fewer pesticides being washed into rivers.

The top nine most frequently found pesticides in freshwater environments were all widely used herbicides including Mecoprop, Isoproturon and Diuron. Of the top nine, only Chlorotoluron is rising in level, as it is increasingly used to control grass weeds in cereals as some weeds become resistant to other pesticides.

Although important for many industries, pesticides can cause serious environmental problems and can have devastating effects on our rivers and streams if used carelessly or not disposed of properly. Agriculture and horticulture account for more than 80 per cent of all pesticide use in England and Wales.

The report shows some positive results, in terms of protecting the environment from pesticides, but there are still areas of concern. Sheep dip chemicals are still a significant and widespread problem impacting on river ecology and causing freshwater samples to fail to meet environmental quality standards.

The main areas for concern are:

· dipping activities, especially in Wales and the north of England · discharges from the wool processing industries centred on Yorkshire.

Andy Croxford, Environment Agency Pesticides Policy Manager, said: "The fact that the level of pesticides found in our rivers and streams has declined is encouraging, but there is no room for complacency. We cannot be certain whether the reduced levels are down to better use of pesticides, or how big a factor the dry weather has been.

That is why we will continue to monitor the situation closely and to work with farmers and other pesticide users, together with the wool processing industries, to build on the improvements that have already been achieved. We will be particularly targeting those involved in sheep dipping. "

As part of the implementation of its Chemical Strategy, the Environment Agency works to protect the environment from pesticides by: · monitoring pesticide usage and concentrations · investigating pollution incidents involving pesticides and taking relevant enforcement action · working with pesticide users to encourage best practice in the use of pesticides -such as the Voluntary Initiative whereby farmers are being asked to get their spray machinery tested, keep their pesticide training up-to-date and annually review their environment performance. · encouraging sheep farmers to adopt improved flock management practices to reduce their use of sheep dip