A Swedish documentary programme has alleged that pig farmers in northern Poland are polluting the Baltic sea with untreated manure.

According to the film-makers, the illegal practice has made trips to the beach a health hazard for Swedes, owing to malignant algae.

The creators of the film, Folke Ryden and Ulrika Bjorksten highlighted the doings of a large-scale pig farm in the village of Psie Glowy in Drawsko county, Pomerania.

However, the Swedes argue that this is solely one example of the malpractice of Polish farmers, a view that appears to be upheld by Polish authorities.

Professor Zygmunt Pejsak of the Polish Academy of Sciences, when interviewed by the film-makers, corroborated the charges against some Polish farmers.

Likewise, a report by Poland's Supreme Audit Office is cited in the programme, including the damning statement that “large farms do not comply with environmental regulations,” and that very few have drawn up plans to do so.

The film-makers also point the finger at farmers in Belarus and Russia.

All in all, they argue that the state of the Baltic is significantly worse than it was in 2007, when a group of environmental ministers from the region joined forces to protect the sea. (nh)

Source: TVP