LONDON, March 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
A Chippenham-based farming partnership has been hit with £18,744 in penalties after two slurry spills polluted the Bristol Avon river in Chippenham.
In a prosecution brought by the Environment Agency,JDSpencerFarm Partnershipof Manor Farm, Langley Burrell, Chippenham, Wiltshire pleadedguiltyatSwindon Magistrates' Court tofouroffenceson 6 March 2026.
Thepartnership wasfined £7,000, a victim surcharge of £2,800 and costs of £8,944.
The farm was charged on two counts of illegal water discharge activities and two charges offailing to planthe spreading of slurry.
The first incident, which occurred in November 2023, led to slurry entering a tributary of the Bristol Avon. Downstreamwatersamplesshowedvery lowdissolved oxygen levels andthe presence ofsignificant quantities ofammonia in the water.
During aformalinterview, co-owner of the farm, Winston Spencer,deniedthat he had beenrecentlyspreading slurryorthat hehadpumpedfrom thefarm'sslurry lagoononto the fields.
He did, however, admit that his slurry and parlour washings stores were full and that slurry run-off had occurred. He suggestedthishad beendue toheavy rainfall washing off slurrywhich he had spread theprevious month.
The farm was charged on two counts of illegal water discharge activities and two charges of failing to plan the spreading of slurry
The second incident, in March 2024 resulted in slurry pollution toa watercourse at Langley Burrell, Chippenham.
Following a report from a member of the public, Environment Agency officerstracked the pollutionalongseveralwatercourses,eventuallyidentifyingthe source to be slurry deposits in three of Manor Farm's fields.
In another interview, Spenceradmitted that wet slurry had been deposited, stating that he believed it had entered the field drains and run into the stream.
Spencer also said the partnership had no land drainage plans for the fields in their holding.
TheEnvironment Agencyusedone oftheir dronesto photograph the areas where slurry had run off.
David Womack, seniorenvironmentofficer,said:
This incidentwas avoidableandshould never have happened.Farmers have a responsibility to ensuretheir organic manuresareproperly storedand spread.
Iffarmershave concerns about not having sufficientslurry storagecapacity, we recommend they contact us. We can give advice on current legislation, help ensure slurry calculations areaccurateand reduce the pollution risk byidentifyingnon-compliant structures.
If an incident does occur, we would urge those responsible to report it as soon as possible to the Environment Agency. This can help reduce any environmental impact. Incidents can be reported 24hrs a day on 0800 80 70 60.
Guidance for farmers onappropriate storageis available at Storing silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil.
Background
JD Spencer Farm Partnership was charged with the following offences:
*
On and before the 10 November 2023 you, the J D Spencer Farm Partnership, did cause an unpermitted water discharge activity, namely the discharge of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter from Manor Farm, Langley Burrell, Chippenham, Wiltshire into inland fresh waters Contrary to Regulations 12(1)(b) and Regulation 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.
*
On and before the 10 November 2023 you, the J D Spencer Farm Partnership, did fail to plan the application of organic matter, namely slurry, to agricultural land at Manor Farm, Langley Burrell, Chippenham, Wiltshire so as to give rise to a significant risk of agricultural diffuse pollution Contrary to Regulations 4(1)&4(2) and Regulation 11 of the Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution (England) Regulations 2018.
*
On and before the 26 March 2024 you, the J D Spencer Farm Partnership, did cause an unpermitted water discharge activity, namely the discharge of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter from Manor Farm, Langley Burrell, Chippenham, Wiltshire into inland fresh waters Contrary to Regulations 12(1)(b) and Regulation 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.
*
On and before the 26 March 2024 you, the J D Spencer Farm Partnership, did fail to plan the application of organic matter, namely slurry, to agricultural land at Manor Farm, Langley Burrell, Chippenham, Wiltshire so as to give rise to a significant risk of agricultural diffuse pollution Contrary to Regulations 4(1)&4(2) and Regulation 11 of the Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution (England) Regulations 2018.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
