After a farm trailer overturned above Toppesfield Brook in Essex yesterday afternoon, spilling around 5,000 litres of pesticide directly into the brook, the Environment Agency has said that swift action on the part of the farmer and EA officials has averted a crisis.

The farmer in question alerted the Environment Agency, which was able to dam the brook and minimise the amount of pesticide travelling further downstream. The pesticide was due to be spread over fields north of Finchingfield, but toppled on a farm bridge over the brook before most of the pesticide had been used.

Pesticide use is subject to tight controls in the UK, as the chemicals’ effects on aquatic life as the results of drift, leaching or accidents such as yesterday’s can have devastating effects on aquatic life. The chemicals can exact behavioural change in fish that reduces populations and kill off zooplankton or insects on which fish feed.

Some pesticides are slow to break down in certain conditions and can result in persistent pollution. It is believed most pesticides are more damaging to aquatic life than herbicides.  

Following yesterday’s spillage, a specialist team was called in to dam the brook. The contaminated water was then pumped from the brook to adjacent fields. Working through the night, the Environment Agency built a second dam so a further section of the brook could be cleared in the same way. A spokesperson said a third could be put in place if it is deemed necessary.

Agency spokesperson Jamie Fairfull said, “The fact that we were called in has prevented the damage to the area from being far worse. We will still see some fish deaths and parts of the brook will be damaged, but this could have been far worse.”

He issued the recommendation, “If you are involved with or see anything happen which you think could cause a risk to the environment, please call the Environment Agency immediately. The faster we know about things the faster we can decide what needs to be done.”

Mr Fairfull said the brook and main river system will be continually monitored by the Agency and, should concerns arise, officials will step up measures taken at the site. The public has been advised to keep their dogs on leads in the area and to stop them entering the water.

The Environment Agency can be contacted via its emergency helpline on 0800 80 70 60

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