11/04/2017 Channel Islands News

Do we ourselves to be more important than we really are in international

affairs? Join me The green and not so pleasant land -

farmers will have to meet strict new targets to reduce nitrates

in Jersey's water. It's going to be challenging but I

think we are up to it. We are going to be replacing fertiliser in the

field so we don't spread any areas where potatoes are planted.

Good evening and welcome to the late news from BBC Channel Islands.

Also tonight, could Guernsey's new pay as you throw scheme increase

New environmental targets aim to reduce nitrate levels

in Jersey's water by a third in the next five years.

A report into the quality of water has found the island has some

of the highest levels of nitrate in the whole of Europe

which is contributing to the problem of sea lettuce.

You have to be brave to dip a toe in this!

Smelly, slimy sea lettuce blooming in St Aubin's Bay has become

an unwelcome visitor in Jersey, year after year.

It's mainly caused by waste from Bellozanne Sewage Treatment Works

and nitrates in farming sprays and fertilisers, running off

the land and into sea and other waterways.

Now farmers will have to meet strict new targets

to reduce nitrates by a third if they want to claim

It's going to be challenging but I think we're up to it.

There are two ways that we're addressing the issue.

Firstly is by placement of fertiliser in the field

so we don't spread on any areas where potatoes aren't planted,

and then there's a secondary method which is even more precise,

where you actually put the nitrogen below the potato in the row,

and because it's placed exactly where it's needed, you can reduce

The report says there's no risk to health, and Jersey Water

says it's safe to drink, although the company can't guarantee

it meets drinking water standards for nitrate all the time.

The review group wants an officer to oversee

the reduction in nitrates, but they're worried the money

to pay for one may come from other projects.

There is certain money available until 2018.

They will need to find more money from somewhere, and I hope it's not

from their own existing resources because they are, it seems to us,

stretched at times and they need more money from central government

to enable this aspect to be carried out.

But the minister says funding for other projects will be protected.

There is no quick fix for sea lettuce, but it's hoped

that if targets are met, this unwelcome guest may

Well, earlier I spoke to the Environment Minister,

Deputy Steve Luce and asked him about the role of the officer

they want to oversee the reduction in nitrates and how

Funding is an issue but we know we need an officer to look after the

countryside and liaise with farmers about the and your plans and

satellite plans. We know we need to find the money for that post and I

will be talking to Jersey water and environment officers and the

industry about how we do that, but the review certainly says we need an

officer and we know we need that officer and I will be looking to

ways to put that officer in place. It sounds like you will get that

officer but how much will it cost you? We think between 50 and ?70,000

a year and we will have to find that money. This is money that will be

well spent because they work the officer will do will hopefully

reduce even more the amount of nitrates getting into our streams

and reservoirs and it will be more than offset by the costs that would

be put on to Jersey water if they had to take the nitrate out before

they put it in. To get that money to they put it in. To get that money to

fund it will you have to take that money from other resources? I will

have a look at my budget and see if I have anything left. We have made

many efficiencies over the course, so money is very tight but it is an

important post in the fight cannot find the money inside my own

department I will be talking to Jersey water to see if they can help

but if necessary I will go back to the Treasury to see if I can find

some extra money from them, but it is an important post and the review

recognises that and we will employ somebody to help us cope with the

nitrate problem. Jersey Police have revealed fresh

details from their investigation into the death of a woman whose body

was found at a house on Victoria Street in

St Helier last week. They say 51-year-old Ana Rebelo

got home last Monday night around half eight,

and was found dead by her A post-mortem exam found

she'd been strangled. A 58-year-old man was arrested

on suspicion of murder, The case of a teenager accused

of committing two seaside sexual attacks in Jersey has been delayed

for two weeks. The 16-year-old boy, who can't be

named for legal reasons, is charged with carrying out

indecent assaults in St Brelade The Youth Court adjourned the matter

for further investigations. Fly tipping will increase

in Guernsey when the States' pay as you throw scheme

comes into effect. That's according to former

constable Gerry Tattersall. He says the new Waste Strategy

requiring islanders to pay for official States black sacks

will see more rubbish If you come over here, there

are couple of bags I found earlier. I have had a look in these,

to see what was in them. So, OK, in fairness our local busman

is not only to take them, but -- our local dustmen is not allowed

to take them, but another really does take this,

so by drive here to dump it, rather than taking it

to get rid of it properly? 59 incidents of fly-tipping

were reported last year. The States said reliable data

was only available for 2016, so we can't tell you how it compares

to previous years. The government also said it wasn't

able to tell us how much it's Obviously if people

act irresponsibly that works will have to ground

and clean it up. There is a cost for that, and

everyone will have to pay for that. He says something

needs to happen now. It is not the point of the will come

and collect it, that costs money. He believes the problem

will only get worse, and once the States starts charging

people for black bin bags, scenes like this may

become more common. Long waiting lists to join

the Scouts Association in the Channel Islands can only be

reduced if more volunteers sign up. There's a national plea for more

adults to help the increased demand for places in the UK's largest youth

movement and Jersey and Guernsey are no exception

as Emma Chambers reports. Being a Scout has changed

dramatically over the decades since it was first started in 1907

by this man Robert Baden-Powell. And it seems to be more popular

than ever, with waiting lists In Guernsey there are currently 34

young people waiting to join. But the association needs more

volunteers to make that happen, as it says adults have less time

to give these days. Things do change and lifestyles

change, but actually it's making sure the programme we put

on for our young people is those mums and dads,

and aunties and grandmas Even if they dip in and dip out

for a year, 18 months, two years, And they say being a volunteer can

be valuable to people wanting If you're taking a Cub pack out

canoeing, for example, you can go out with them -

it doesn't mean you have to stand on the side

and watch them go out, you go out and join

those activities. It's hoped this incentive

will enable them to set up more To Be Prepared to achieve their

mission of 1,000 Scouts by 2018. Good evening. We have had some

lovely sunshine again today. A bitterly change tomorrow with more

clouds around but over the last few days you have taken some great

photographs, this one of the glorious sandy beach. It looks like

we will have better the change with a nice start tomorrow and gradually

clouding over but by the afternoon we might even see a few showers

coming along. Different compared to coming along. Different compared to

the last couple of days. This high pressure is weakening enough to

allow this front to comment, are arriving later in the data model as

it sweeps down from the north but enough cloud to produce a few

showers and generally introduces more clouds to end the week as the

high-pressure moves out of the way, but for the most part a settled

spell of weather, nothing too much to worry about. A little bit chilly

especially for the larger islands, the temperature getting down into

single figures, a gentle breeze from the West and we start the day with a

temperature of 7-8. Tomorrow we have some sunny spells through the

morning and gradually clouding over with the cloud then at first but

thicker by the afternoon and they might get a few showers here and

there. 12 the maximum temperature. More breeze than you have seen

today, brisk north westerly setting in. Some heat building across Spain

and Portugal, really quite hot over the next few days and still quite

warm and Central parts of France but it cools down as the weather front

drifts across. It leaves a legacy of a lot of clouds, both Thursday and

Friday. Bright enough at the weekend with the temperature on the cool

side. Goodbye. That's your news this Tuesday

evening, BBC Radio Guernsey and Jersey will have bulletins

from six tomorrow morning, and I'll be back at 6:30

tomorrow night, good night. rain but it will be brighter later.

On Sunday, on the cool side for East itself.

Good evening. Grace of all it -- it is greatest of all in Scotland. A

weather front is on