£25 million boost for anglers thanks to record rod licence sales
The Environment Agency today announced that another £25 million from anglers’ licences will be ploughed back into improving fisheries this year.
Last year sales of rod licences broke records and similar sales are expected in 2010. All money raised by rod licence sales goes straight back into the sport. This enables the Environment Agency to carry out work such as habitat improvement, monitoring of fish stocks, restocking and fish rescues – vital when angling is becoming more popular every year. Licence funds are also used to help people take up fishing.
Anglers fishing in England and Wales must hold a valid rod licence. The new licence year starts on April 1, and rod licences for the 2010/11 season are available now. The attractive credit card-style licences show pictures by celebrated Wales-based wildlife artist David Miller, and this year feature either a barbel or a sea trout.
Prices for the 2010/11 rod licences are:
Full
Coarse and trout £27.00
Salmon and sea trout £72.00
Concession
Coarse and trout £18.00
Salmon and sea trout £48.00
Junior
Coarse and trout £5.00
Salmon and sea trout £5.00
8 day
Coarse and trout £10.00
Salmon and sea trout £23.00
1 day
Coarse and trout £3.75
Salmon and sea trout £8.00
Getting a rod licence is easier than ever – they can be bought or renewed online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence, by telephoning 0844 8005836 or at any Post Office in England and Wales.
The Environment Agency’s Head of Fisheries Mat Crocker said: “The new rod licences are available now and look great. Angling is more popular than ever, with more people taking part and more access to fisheries. Remember to buy a licence before you go fishing and get ready for what looks set to be a cracking year ahead.”
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Cypermethrin sheep dip to be scrapped
Move to withdraw product will protect the environment, says Environment Agency chief
Rivers and aquatic wildlife will be protected from pollution by cypermethrin sheep dip as it was today permanently withdrawn from sale in the UK.
Sales of cypermethrin sheep dip products were suspended in February 2006 following a number of serious cases of pollution of rivers. Key to the case for suspension was Environment Agency evidence that showed the insecticide was damaging watercourses and had wiped out aquatic wildlife in certain locations.
In 2005 the Environment Agency successfully prosecuted 10 serious pollution incidents caused by cypermethrin sheep dip. All the incidents resulted in significant losses of aquatic wildlife. One incident on the River Mint at Patton Bridge, north east of Kendal in Cumbria, killed over 5000 rare native white-clawed crayfish – a protected species.
Prior to the suspension the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), which authorises veterinary medicines for sale in the UK, asked the manufacturers for new data concerning the environmental risks of their products. But now the three remaining companies with suspended approval to sell cypermethrin dips have opted to permanently withdraw their dips from the UK market.
Dr Paul Leinster, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said: “This is great news for the environment. It means greater protection for kilometres of high quality rivers in the sheep farming areas of Wales and England.
“Since the suspension we, together with VMD, have worked with farmers, anglers and wildlife groups to examine ways the dips could be used safely. As part of this work, research was carried out to understand better how cypermethrin was getting into rivers. Crucially, one of these studies showed that significant amounts of cypermethrin could be washed off a sheep’s fleece for as long as 28 days after dipping.
“This, plus other evidence we gathered, led the Environment Agency to conclude that cypermethrin dips could not be used without unacceptable risks to the environment and breaches of environmental legislation that protect aquatic wildlife.
“Given that alternative dips, injectable and pour-on treatments are available for farmers to use, the companies decision to withdraw cypermethrin sheep dip from the UK market was the best solution.”
Environment Agency evidence also shows that the four-year suspension of cypermethrin dips has resulted in significant benefits for the environment including:
The recovery of stretches of waterway that suffered severe pollution from cypermethrin, A dramatic drop in the number of serious pollution incidents caused by cypermethrin dips – from 13 serious incidents in 2005 to two in 2006, one in 2007 and none in the past two years.
The Environment Agency anticipates the permanent withdrawal of cypermethrin dips will bring improvements in over 20 stretches of river that currently fail European water quality standards.
Farmers wanting advice on the safe disposal of old cypermethrin sheep dip stocks can contact the Environment Agency’s helpline on 08708 506 506 or email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
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