Ecologists fight the rise of tough, toxic cowpats
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Scientists will gather in the French Alps at the weekend to discuss the complex problem of the poisonous and ever-lasting cowpat.
Scientists will gather in the French Alps at the weekend to discuss the complex problem of the poisonous and ever-lasting cowpat.
A medicine given to cows, sheep and horses before they go to summer pasture in the Alps has made their dung toxic and virtually indestructible.
Insects that normally feed on the droppings are dying in numbers, threatening the survival of birds and bats that eat the insects. A single cowpat left by an animal treated with the medicine is estimated to be capable of killing up to 20,000 dung-eating insects a week.
Professor Jean-Pierre Lumaret, from the University of Montpellier, an expert on the ecology of Alpine meadows, said: "A cow produces about 12 cowpats a day. If the dung does not decompose, it becomes like stone, which stops the grass from growing. In the Mediterranean area, we have seen cowpats [from treated animals] survive for four years or more."
Cowpats from a herd of 100 cows add up to a lot of toxic dung over four years. They would eventually ruin a pasture, not only for insects, but also for cows, Professor Lumaret said.
The cause of the problem is believed to be a medicine called ivermectine, which is inserted in the form of a "bolus" or blob in the throat of the animal when it is sent to the high Alpine meadows for the summer. Small amounts of the medicine released daily protect the animals from parasites.
The aim of this weekend's conference, part of an "ecological fair" at Albenc in Isère, south-east France, is to persuade farmers and vets to use another kind of treatment.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments