Environment Agency Wales is urging Pembrokeshire farmers to plan their slurry and manure spreading activities carefully.

Higher than usual levels of ammonia have been detected in the Eastern and Western Afon Cleddau.

Agency officers believe that run-off from agricultural land spread with slurry may be entering the rivers.

The amount of run-off from agricultural land can increase substantially during cold periods where fields have frozen, leading to pollution of watercourses. Farmers should:

  • Prioritise spreading choosing the most suitable fields first;
  • Check the field before spreading for any problems with frozen soils;
  • Avoid spreading on steeply sloping ground;
  • not apply more than 50m per hectare (4,500 gallons per acre) in a single application to reduce run-off risk;
  • Leave an untreated buffer strip of at least 10 metres along the edges of ditches, streams and rivers.

Further guidance is available on 08708 506 506.