Environmental analysis news: Farmers urged to take care when irrigating land

Agricultural workers have been urged to take extra precautions when irrigating land with dirty water.

The warning comes after a farming company was fined and ordered to pay costs earlier this week after wastewater flowed into a Devon stream, killing dozens of fish.

Approximately 150 dead brown trout, bullheads, stoneloach and minnow were found.

Investigators traced the pollution to a local farm where a field had recently been irrigated using dirty water from a dairy unit.

Environment Agency spokesman Andrew Leyman said workers must ensure this type of fluid does not make its way into local watercourses.

"These liquids are highly polluting and kill fish by removing oxygen from the water and adding ammonia," he commented.

In related news, the Environment Agency announced earlier this week that cypermethrin sheep dip has been permanently withdrawn from sale in the UK in a bid to protect marine life.

Written by Lauren Steadman