Tests start on mussels pollution
22 March 2007UK - Scientists will be studying a section of the River Fal in Cornwall to establish if pollution from fields is damaging a mussel farm.
 Mussel farmers said the pollution is affecting business |
The move follows a downgrading of water quality where mussels are grown near the King Harry ferry at Feock.
Scientists will be examining if the pollution comes from fields, animals or human sources.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) hopes it will solve similar problems in the UK.
Mussel farmer Steve Kestin: "During the winter this stretch of the river has been downgraded which is very hard work for us.
"Instead of having two days in depuration (cleaning), we have to take our product from the farm and put it in cleaner grade A or grade B water for three months.
"I can't see how we can sustain production in the winter months if it is grade C during the winter because it's so costly and difficult."
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Source: BBC News
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