A trio of Dorset farm companies have paid £33,500 to environmental charities after an Environment Agency investigation into their failure to store slurry correctly.
The probe found Crockway Farms Ltd, Drummers Farming Limited and Crutchley Farms Partnership failed to follow regulations designed to protect local waterways.
Poorly managed slurry stores led to pollution entering watercourses in two cases.
A farm installed new slurry stores without securing the required permit in another.
All three businesses accepted enforcement undertakings – a sanction that avoids prosecution in return for funding environmental projects. They have since introduced stronger measures to ensure full compliance with environmental rules.
Now, the money will support local projects aimed at improving and protecting Dorset’s natural environment.
Drummers Farming Limited gave £10,000 to the Dorset Wildlife Trust, which will be used for the Winfrith and Tadnoll Wetland Restoration Project.
Crutchley Farms Partnership gave £7,500 to the Dorset Wildlife Trust for a trees and wetland project.
Crockway Farms Ltd gave £16,000 to the Farm and Wildlife Advisory Group South West, a conservation charity in Dorset which works to reduce farm run off and flood risk in catchments.
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.
“We’d rather be approached earlier rather than later, after an environmental incident has happened.”
