Dorset farms pay £33,500 after slurry breaches
© Tim Scrivener Three Dorset farming businesses have paid a combined £33,500 to environmental charities after failing to meet slurry storage rules designed to protect watercourses.
Crockway Farms, Drummers Farming, and Crutchley Farms all accepted enforcement undertakings from the Environment Agency (EA), avoiding prosecution by funding environmental projects and taking steps to improve compliance.
In two cases, slurry pollution entered local streams, while a third business installed new slurry stores without securing the necessary permit.
See also: 8 ways to prepare for tighter rules on water quality
Pollution incidents
Drummers Farming Ltd, near Sherborne, was linked to two slurry pollution incidents in spring 2024.
In April, slurry from a lagoon entered a tributary of the Beer Hackett Stream (River Wriggle). Although alarms were triggered, the incident occurred overnight and was not addressed immediately.
In a second case, water samples showed ammonia levels high enough to harm aquatic life.
The impact of both incidents was traced for more than 1.2 miles downstream.
The business has since invested in improved slurry storage, removed an overflow pipe and strengthened monitoring. It contributed £10,000 to the Dorset Wildlife Trust.
Crutchley Farms Partnership was investigated following pollution in Mangerton Brook, near Bridport, in October 2023.
The EA found slurry entering the stream from an overflowing concrete tank after a pump failure.
The watercourse showed signs of sewage fungus, with organic waste visible 300m downstream and ecological damage extending up to 800m.
The farm has introduced daily inspections and a text alert system to reduce future risk, and paid £7,500 to support a local trees and wetlands project.
Permit breach
Crockway Farms Ltd, an intensive pig unit, breached regulations by installing two slurry stores without obtaining an environmental permit.
Permits are required to assess risks such as ammonia emissions and potential effluent discharges.
The company has since addressed the issue and donated £16,000 to the Farm and Wildlife Advisory Group South West to support work on reducing agricultural run-off and flood risk.
Compliance reminder
Senior environment officer David Womack said: “Slurry regulations protect people and the environment. It is essential everyone follows the rules.
“If a farmer is concerned about their slurry storage or environmental compliance, get in touch with us. We are ready to lend support and advice.”
The EA said the funds from the undertakings will support projects to improve and protect Dorset’s natural environment.