THE autumn presented challenges to farmers and problems for the environment.

This is normal in a wet season in Herefordshire.

Now, however, we have a much more dangerous issue.

Lagoons attached to anaerobic digesters are full.

This lethal liquid removes all oxygen from watercourses, and it found its way into the Stansbatch brook this month.

Experts think the brook, which hosts protected species such as white-clawed crayfish, has been badly damaged, with most life extinguished.

The Environment Agency is doing their work. But this needs to be a wake up call to farmers, and legislators need to consider if it is wise to continue to subsidise these units if the controls on the construction are inadequate and the protections for the environment not strong enough.

James Weymouth

Stansbatch