Warning over contaminated woodchip (From Western Telegraph)

Warning over contaminated woodchip

11:17am Tuesday 30th June 2009 in

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Environment Agency Wales is urging horse owners and farmers to buy their woodchip to use as bedding for animals from a reputable source.

Woodchip is a useful and environmentally friendly bedding for livestock and horses. However, some farmers and horse owners have recently received deliveries of cheap woodchip that has been contaminated with glass, nails and other unsuitable materials.

This renders the woodchip of no use and the landowner with an expensive bill to clear the woodchip and dispose of it in landfill.

The Agency is stressing the importance of examining the quality of the entire load of woodchip before it is unloaded on their land.

David Edwell, north Wales area manager for Environment Agency Wales, said: “People need to be sure of what they are actually buying. If they get an offer of cheap bedding that seems too good to be true – then it often is.

“Make sure that what you get is a good quality bedding material – not someone else’s waste. Go to a reputable producer and don’t end up with a pile of worthless woodchip and an expensive clear-up from your land.”