West Dorset farm punished for slurry discharge entering river
They've paid £4,000 to a local charity
Last updated 1st Dec 2023
A West Dorset farm partnership has been punished after slurry discharges on their land entered the River Lydden.
M.P. and P.M. Perrett of Shortwood Farm, Mappowder near Sturminster Newton, volunteered to make a £4,000 payment to the Wessex Rivers Trust.
That's come under the Environment Agency’s Environmental Undertaking arrangements - civil sanctions available as an alternative to prosecution.
Slurry discharged from a hydrant, saturating the receiving field and running off into the River Lydden.
It was discovered in April and May last year using remote devices placed into the waterway.
In addition to the charity donation, the farmers have also offered to implement a number of measures to prevent further incidents, and paid the Environment Agency’s investigation costs.
Environment Officer, Beth Moore, said:
“We consider the environmental impact of all incidents when taking enforcement action. This incident continued over a significant period of time, impacting on the water quality of the River Lydden.
"The partnership took prompt action to stop further pollution once aware of the situation. Environmental Undertakings enable penalties to be directed back towards the environment that has been affected.”