Rare mussel causing headache for Shropshire farmers

The population of freshwater pearl mussels could die out in the next 20 years, and the Environment Agency and Natural England hope to rescue the endangered molluscs with a preservation programme on the River Clun.

The last five kilometres (3.1 miles) of the river provide one of very few remaining homes for the mussel, which are aged between 60 and 80 and partially bury themselves in fine gravel on the river bed.

Now the government agencies hope farmers will reduce the levels of nutrients and sediments in watercourses in the area to aid reproduction and stop the tonnes of soil that erode into the river each year from suffocating juvenile mussels.

However, the NFU says nitrate and phosphate levels are already falling in the river, and farmers want a rethink of the plans.

Environment and rural affairs adviser Sarah Faulkner said: "Nutrient levels are already low in the river and continue to fall, but both NE and EA want further reductions and to see less sediment in the river.

"We support nutrient and soil management as it is important, not just for business sustainability and soil health but for biodiversity too.

"Farmers on the Clun catchment have an extensive and positive track record of engagement with environmental initiatives with good results, however, they are now being asked for more and we are concerned that was is being asked of them in the draft plan is not technically feasible.

"Growing and rearing great tasting food to feed the nation is essential while reducing the industry's impact; however, we have to remember that this mollusc is not reproducing and nutrient levels in the Clun catchment are falling anyway."

The Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty has already moved to keep livestock away from the river and reduce silt levels to address the issue.

The mussels can live for up to 150 years, making it one of the longest living invertebrates in existence, and grow to 14 cm (5.5 in). While it has been illegal to take them from rivers since 1999, the Clun is thought to be their only remaining home in the Midlands. More than half of the remaining creatures live in Scotland.

Environment Agency officer Adam Shipp said: "Pearl mussels are a protected species, and we're working hard to re-establish wild breeding populations on the Clun. We need to continue to improve water quality in order to support the pearl mussel."