From the Guardian Pesticides and antibiotics are polluting streams across Europe, a study has found. Scientists say the contamination is dangerous for wildlife and may increase the development of drug-resistant microbes. More than 100 pesticides and 21 drugs were detected in the 29 waterways analysed in 10 European nations, including the UK. A quarter of the […]
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has been awarded almost £1 million by Welsh Government’s Rural Development Programme to expand its successful PestSmart project which promotes the safe use, storage and disposal of pesticides. PestSmart is a Welsh Water initiative which encourages people to consider a ‘smarter’, more sustainable approach to weed, pest and disease control that […]
Summary Aquatic invertebrate populations represent an important part of the UK’s biodiversity, they provide valuable ecosystem services, recycling organic matter and keeping rivers clean. In addition they provide essential food for fish and birds. Neonicotinoids are widely used insecticides with three main applications in the UK, firstly as a seed coating for field crops, secondly […]
Rivers in England are contaminated with powerful insecticides, new testing has revealed, increasing concerns over the impact of the toxic chemicals on fish and birds. Neonicotinoids were banned from use on flowering crops in the European Union in 2013 due to the harm they cause to bees and other vital pollinators. Following even more evidence of harm, […]
Defra has announced support for further restrictions on neonicotinoid pesticides, linked to impacts bees and butterflies. Read Defra’s blog and there is more coverage in the Guardian. According to Defra, Matt Shardlow, CEO of Buglife, warmly welcomes the news in the Express saying Michael Gove’s support for a more comprehensive ban on neonicotinoids is just […]
Future Brief: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs): towards a POPs-free future POPs: a persistent problem, pole to pole The majority of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) identified until now are banned or restricted around the world owing to concerns about their harm to ecosystems and human health. However, this is not the end of the story; even […]
Welsh Water’s pesticide disposal scheme achieves 100% approval rate Trial collected over 1,600 kgs of pesticides and herbicides Free and confidential disposal scheme was offered to targeted rural areas across Wales 100% of participants said they would recommend the scheme Welsh Water’s free and confidential pesticide disposal scheme has been hailed a success after it […]
Welsh Water launches free pesticide disposal scheme to protect drinking water quality New initiative to help farmers, growers and land managers dispose of pesticide and herbicides safely to safeguard drinking water quality Free and confidential disposal scheme in targeted rural areas across Wales Welsh Water has launched a new initiative to encourage farmers, growers and […]