Pesticides projects

Selset (Lartington) Pesticides Project

The Selset (Lartington) Pesticides Project was instigated in 2005 in response to the detection of a specific pesticide (MCPA) in 2004 in the catchment of Selset Reservoir in Teesdale. ADAS were engaged, by NWL, to undertake a catchment investigation which involved visiting the farmers and land managers in the catchment of Selset Reservoir and undertaking a survey of their land management practices and pesticide use.

The investigation was followed up by two workshops, in which farmers and landowners were invited to discuss the issues and possible solutions with NWL, National England and the Environment Agency. It is hoped to extend this proactive engagement work with land managers within the wider catchment of Lartington treatment works during 2006 and 2007.

Whittle Dene Pesticides Project

This ongoing project, to tackle the specific issue of pesticides from the catchment entering reservoirs used to supply drinking water, is run and managed by ADAS.  It was originally part of the Voluntary Initiative for pesticides, but has expanded beyond this base.  It has its own website - www.whittledene.org 

Parties on the steering group include NWL, ADAS, Environment Agency, National Farmers Union, Crop Protection Agency and Newcastle University.  The Steering Group meets two or three times a year.

The project is ongoing until at least 2007-08, with a focus on:

• Implementing a plan to improve water quality and generate other benefits.

• Encourage the uptake of the Entry Level Scheme by farmers in the catchment.

• Implementing options to deal with specific problems.

• Running demonstrations of best practice pesticide handling, e.g. a biobed.