Update June 2011
If you are experiencing trouble with Flies again this summer let the Euxton Flies group know and report it also to Environmental Health at Chorley Council - details on the right.
If we do get fly infestation again this summer residents should also inform Environmental Health at Chorley Council Tel 01257 515151.
Update May 2011
Just a brief update on the current position as "fly season" approaches.
As reported in the last issue, we have been working with Chorley Council to establish a Code of Practice (CoP) for the use of poultry manure. Based on the experience of other councils across the country who have faced similar problems, adoption of these recommendations by local farmers would be expected to stop the fly infestations.
At this stage some, but not all, farms in the area have signed up to the CoP. Negotiations are still continuing with the farm identified as the main source of the fly problem but there are encouraging signs that the farmer at least understands the resident's concerns. Further advice has been sought from the Environment Agency (EA), who are willing to help and have agreed to work with the farmer to come up with an effective solution.
If all goes well and we reach agreement on some changes in practice, it is critical that we monitor how this affects the housefly population. The EA is willing to help monitor spreading activity over the summer but it is important that we continue to get information from residents, specifically when the farmer spreads manure on the fields near you and what the fly situation is - good or bad - in the weeks afterwards. E-mail us on euxtonflies@virginmedia.com. If we do get fly infestation again this summer residents should also inform Environmental Health at Chorley Council Tel 01257 515151.
If we are all prepared to work together we should be able to produce a lasting solution that all parties - farmers, residents and council - are happy with.
One final point, we have been made aware that in some areas residents are altering fences to provide access onto adjacent farmland. In the spirit of working together with local farmers, could we ask that residents please respect field boundaries.
Written by a member of the Action Group
February 2011 - No Fly Zone!
Most people expect a few flies in Summer but in recent years many Euxton residents have been coping with hundreds.
Last May Chorley Council commissioned a specialist ADAS entomologist to investigate the source of the problem, which was found to be spreading of poultry manure on grazing land around Euxton (the full report can be found on Euxton Parish Council's website).
Residents affected by fly infestations have formed an Action Group to try to help solve the problem. The group discovered that other County Councils around the country had suffered similar problems but the good news is that these had been largely resolved by both the producers and end users of the manure by following a "Code of Practice" drawn up by the Councils involved, in consultation with ADAS experts.
This has meant that farmers were able to continue to use poultry manure, which is recommended as a more ecologically sound alternative to chemical fertilisers, but that residents living in proximity to the land could revert to a normal life without massive fly infestations during the summer months.
We are delighted that Chorley Council has agreed to adopt its own Code of Practice based on the current ADAS recommendations and expect that farmers in the area will want to adopt these and take the opportunity to solve what has been a serious problem for Euxton residents.
If this initiative fails, the Action Group will consult with residents on alternative options for solving the problem.
Although we are not there yet, let us hope that Summer 2011 can be fly free.
Anyone who would like more information or to express an interest in helping can contact the Action Group by email at: Euxtonflies@virginmedia.com
Written by a member of the Action Group
21 July 2010
It was published in the local paper that a local farmer, in Euxton, has been spreading Chicken manure on local fields, which was most likely to blame for the flies.
Chorley Council had received confirmation that the flies were breeding in the large lumps of manure being spread on local fields, which should not be spread in such quantities between April and October because they can be a breeding ground for flies.
The farmer said in the paper he didn't think it was the only source of flies but would try not to spread in the same quantities during the period recommended by Defra 'not to be spread'.
19 July 2010
The test result have been returned and Chorley Council is following up on these. News of any results will be reported when received.
9 July 2010
The results on the samples have returned and the flies on the fly papers and in the chicken manure are both Common House Flies.
Further samples were taken today of the chicken manure, at source, to see if it starts out infested or if this develops after it has been taken from the farm it comes from.
5 July 2010
Further samples were taken and sent off to be analysed on Monday of this week (5th) of chicken manure spread on the fields and fly papers from homes. The expert from ADAS has been appraised of the new reports and samples which have been sent for analysis and will advise further when results are known.
July 2010
Reports have begun to come in about fly problems and anyone with a problem is encouraged to report it to Chorley Council so they are aware of the spread and scale of the problem.
28 June 2010
The specialist report has been recieve by Chorley Council and will be available here soon.
June 2010 - Report commissioned ?
In the last few months, Chorley Council commissioned a report from an expert company called ADAS, to research the fly problem in the area and submit a report into its investigations.
As soon as the report is published, we can report any findings here or if we are able to have a copy we will post a link.
Have you been having a fly invasion in your home this year?
So have many other Euxton residents. Chorley Council has been conducting investigations into this problem and produced a progress report, which is attached on the right to view.