LANDOWNERS in Worcestershire and Herefordshire have been shocked to receive letters from Defra which detail plans to ban the use of strychnine from September next year.

Although the Country Land and Business Assocation members recognise that strychnine is a dangerous chemical that is banned in other EU states, they are concerned that the British countryside is a breeding ground for moles - so they need to keep using the poison.

Joanna Hilditch, a CLA member who farms and runs luxury holiday lets in Herefordshire, said: "Our pest control company has warned us that when strychnine disappears we will be faced with serious mole problems as there is no other financially viable route for elimination of this pest.

"In the past, when supplies have been short and we have had to wait for long periods of time until the product was available, the problem became well nigh unbearable in our permanent pasture."

Moles can be controlled in gardens and parks by other means, but at field level strychnine is, says the CLA, an important tool which should be maintained for use in appropriate and limited circumstances, in accordance with the existing Defra licensing regime.

CLA West Midlands regional adviser Donna Tavernor said: "I understand that strychnine is a very effective poison with which to control moles.

"If so, we will be in for an explosion of moles when strychnine is banned and this will be detrimental for livestock farmers. Soil contamination in silage will be the biggest problem and that can lead to livestock deaths. We regard the existing licensing regime as appropriate."