River Anker - Pic: Paulette Sedgwick.

Farmers are being urged to move grazing animals away from the rivers Anker and Tame in Staffordshire.

This follows a pollution incident that is affecting the rivers as a result of an industrial fire in Nuneaton. There have been reports of fish deaths in the River Anker near the county border with Warwickshire.

Tony Shore, the county council’s Head of Farming and Agriculture said:

 “Farmers should take sensible precautions, especially if they use the river as a source of drinking water for their livestock.”

Staffordshire County Council’s Animal Health team is advising owners of farm livestock or horses with field boundaries on the river to:

  • If possible, move animals to alternative fields or buildings;
  • If not possible, provide alternative adequate supplies of fresh clean mains drinking water and prevent animal access to the river;
  • Regularly and closely observe animals that may have had access to river water for signs of illness;
  • Contact your private veterinary surgeon immediately if you are concerned about the health of any animals that have had access to the river or river water.