A NEW project to help farmers reduce water pollution on their land is to be launched across the Yorkshire Dales.

Teams from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Natural England and the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust will work with farmers around Semerwater and Upper Lune to help them apply for grants to help them improve water quality and reduce pollution in nearby waterways.

Farmers will be encouraged to protect riverbanks by fencing them off from livestock, planting woodlands and restoring moorlands, and to improve the way they use manure, slurry and chemical fertilisers to reduce leakage in rivers and streams.

Helen Keep, the YDNPA’s senior farm conservation officer, said: “The two-year project is funded by DEFRA and Natural England, and the overall aim is to develop low-cost ways of improving water quality and reducing water pollution from farms.

“The funding is designed to tackle environmental issues on farms, reduce diffuse pollution and improve the natural environment.

“Over the next six months we will be visiting farms to discuss opportunities for grant funding and preparing interested farmers for the capital grant scheme.”

Andrew Colley, the YDNPA’s member champion for conservation of the natural environment, said: “It is vital that farmers in the national park are given all the help and resources available so they can care for the waterways effectively and so help to protect this very special area.

“We hope they will all take the opportunity over the next two years to come on board and join the partnership – it is in everyone’s interests.”

Anyone interested in the project can find out more by contacting Ms Keep on 01756-751611 or helen.keep@yorkshiredales.org.uk