The Environment Agency is asking farmers to carry out pre-season checks on their slurry, dirty water and effluent collection systems to reduce the risk of pollution.

Last winter saw an increase in slurry and effluent pollution – particularly on the Devon and Cornwall border where faulty irrigation systems on several farms in the Tamar Valley resulted in pollution of local watercourses. Pollution was often caused by faulty alarms and warning devices.

Warning systems are essential to farmers and can be improved by using an audio visual alarm. Any warning lights should use more reliable LED type bulbs.

'Farmers need to make sure their systems are working correctly before this autumn.

'We have experienced much colder weather in recent winters, so it is important to have adequate frost protection. Frozen irrigation systems can be expensive to repair and cause a lot of problems when they fail,' said John Cossens for the Environment Agency.