As you all know we've recently moved. Our bungalow is surrounded by fields on 3 sides. Right now the dogs were barking so I looked outside the window and there is a farmer spraying his crop in the field our house literally sits in -we are talking about him spraying just one metre away from our back and side fence where the dogs were standing watching. I brought the dogs in, but nobody has ever lived here before with dogs. Is it possible they could be spraying with something harmful? I have no idea what it is of course (nor do I know WHICH farmer it is) except there is some residue of a white foam like substance. My main worry is what happens if they do this at some point when I have a pregnant bitch! (I'm not having a litter this year.) Anyone know anything?

It all depends on what they're spraying with.  Not sure what the white foam would be.  DEFRA has a 'green code' which all crop sprayers must adhere to, maybe it'd be worth having a read of it.

Debs

If he is a responsible person then I would have thought that he wouldn't spray so close to the border with something dangerous. I say this because, where we used to moor our boat the farmer came to us and asked if we would just ensure that the dogs didn't come into the field whilst the sprayed area was  still wet as when it was dry it would be okay. Another time while walking the dogs along the canal bank, he stopped spraying while we walked past to ensure that the spray didn't come to us on the breeze. I think though that you're best course of action would be to approach the farmer and ask him would he inform you beforehand if he is spraying anything that would be detrimental so that you could take the dogs in  and leave him your telephone number.

According to Defra's Green Code, you are Not allowed to spray within a meter of the top of dikes or hedgerows. Most farmers leave at least a meter round the field for wildlife. but that doesnt stop the drift.
Unfortunatly he is not doing anythig wrong,
In an ideal world he would go round to anyone that lives near his field and let them know.
In REALITY, he will not have the time for this, as trapsing round notifying people of you spraying takes up alot of time, believe me I know LOL,  and this is not a legal stipulation.
The white foam stuff, could just be what is called a Wetter, the stuff you add to the spray just rto help the spray adhere to the crops better.
The best thing to do it to ring the farmer up and ask him. Just make sure if you do, say you have no problems with him spraying you would just like to know because of the dogs. I am sure he will oblige seeing as you have said in the past he is fine about you having the dogs :) :)
HTH
Lea :) :)

Also ...I have to say ..farmers spray fields, if you buy a house surrounded by fields then you can expect to see the farmer spraying...

Not if they are organic like us :) :)

True ...but not all farmers are :)

...and you might want informing before the dogs are sprayed with dung :)

What - and spoil the dogs' fun :)

:D Oh, yes they will love it.

Especially the Goldens !!!!!!! I'm sure it's in the breed standard "Must be kept as dirty as possible at all times"!

BTW this field wasn't used at all last year, I get the impression they only use it every other year.

Thanks all. :) The trouble at the moment is I don't know WHO owns the field! In fact the word around here is the all the fields change hands so often nobody knows who owns what LOL. I don't expect whoever it is to go round and warn people, but if they DID, it would only involve 2 houses. :) All I'm worried about is if there is any possible risk involved, especially if I have a pregnant bitch, other than that it doesn't bother me, I can keep the dogs in for a while no problem. :)

I have the same thing being surrounded on 2 sides (end of a small terrace) by a crop field and dont know who owns it. My boys kennel is right next to the field and I hope they dont start spraying when we're not in!  so far we've been lucky.  The worst bit is trying to find the cat to keep him in!!

You can for a fee use the land registry http://www.landreg.gov.uk/kb/Default.asp?ToDo=view&questId=8&catId=2  to find out who owns the land, but from the few enquiries I've made locally (want to try to buy part of the field for the dogs), most is rented out.

Jill 

I would always assume any spray is likely to be harmful as most will be soem form of weed or pest kiler (poison).

All garden weed killers have warnings about not letting pets on them until thoroughly dry.

I would definately keep pregnant bitches away from any fields/orchards with crops that are likely to be sprayed.

I was told that the white foam is detergent, which they use to help make the spray bind to the plants - so that's probably not the bit to worry about!

Detergent and wetter are the same :) I use Washing up liquid in my sprayer as it is as good but alo lot cheaper LOL
Lea :)

The things you learn on CD! :)

Years ago we had a foal born with no eyes - micropthamia.    The very day the eye buds would have been forming in the foetus, the kindly neighbour sprayed all round three sides of the mare's field with a herbicide/fungicide concoction.  

There was no way we could ever prove it, but I think that sadly children have been born with this problem in similar circumstances.

Jo

Now that's very worrying indeed. :(

Yep, they have!!!!!
My Cousin being one of them
She was born with only one eye. The other was so small it was removed and she wears a false one.
She is about 15 now.
It was because her dad had sprayed the tomatos here in Lincs.
Them with alot of other familys took the company to court in America 9 years ago and won.
Lea :)