FARMERS in the Dee drinking water catchment area are being offered a financial incentive to switch from metaldehyde slug pellets this season.

Many of the slug pellets, commonly used at this time of the year, contain the active ingredient metaldehyde which is highly water soluble. During heavy rainfall it can run off farmland and flow through field drains into watercourses.

To help improve raw water quality in its North Wales drinking water catchment areas, United Utilities and Dee Valley Water, working in partnership with The Welsh Dee Trust, are encouraging farmers to use an alternative type of slug pellet.

Kate Snow from United Utilities explained: “Good progress has been made in recent years to reduce the amount of metaldehyde getting into to watercourses but more can still be done.

“Ferric phosphate is just as effective but less soluble and easier to treat than metaldehyde which is why we’re hoping more farmers will use them by offering 50 per cent off the price.

“And if farmers have already bought metaldehyde pellets it’s not too late, we can help them make the switch at no extra cost.

“By controlling the amount of pesticides flowing into raw water we can reduce the need for costly treatment processes which is better for the environment and better value for our customers,” she added.

Farmers can find out if they’re eligible for this offer by emailing info@welshdeetrust.com or phoning David P Jones (07495 292 561) or Gareth Foulkes (07496 683 333) at The Welsh Dee Trust.

Other offers, funded by United Utilities and Dee Valley Water are also available in the River Dee catchment. These include free collection and disposal of unwanted pesticides, free hire of weed wipers and in target areas subsidised NSTS sprayer and pellet applicator testing.