A Staffordshire potato processing firm has been ordered to pay out over £21,000 after causing pollution which killed over 450 fish.
The Environment Agency prosecuted Edima Holdings Ltd, a Tamworth-based company, in a case heard on Wednesday 7 July.
The court heard that the business operates under the name ‘Mike’s Potatoes’ from premises at Langley Brook Farm, Middleton.
The company pleaded guilty to an offence under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, 2010. It had previously been cautioned for a similar offence.
An investigation began after a member of the public reported seeing two dead fish and milky froth on the water of the Langley Brook in September 2016.
Officers from the Environment Agency found more than 450 dead fish along the brook.
The source of the pollution was traced to a trade effluent lagoon at Edima Holdings Ltd.
A pipe pumping into the lagoon was split, and a crude attempt had been made to repair it. This was discharging into a ditch then into the brook.
Officers gave advice on remedial action needed to prevent further pollution, but a month later, officers received a report of pollution at Middleton Hall Lake on Langley Brook. Following this report, the company agreed to the necessary work.
During the sentencing, District Judge Grego took into account the previous caution that the firm had received and found the offending was highly reckless.
He found that the emergency response plan was so vague it rendered it pointless and praised the quick action of the Environment Agency in responding to the incident.
It was accepted that the offending was not financially motivated and the impact that the pandemic has had on the business was also taken into account.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency, following the hearing, said the incident was a serious case of pollution that resulted in a large number of fish dying.
"We take all such cases seriously and this prosecution sends out a message to companies that they must take their environmental responsibilities with equal seriousness.
"If people have concerns about pollution incidents they should call the Environment Agency’s 24/7 hotline on 0800-80-70-60," he said.
Cannock Magistrates Court fined Edima Holdings Ltd £6,500 in a case heard on Wednesday 7 July 2021.
A total financial penalty of £21,264 was imposed on the company which included a contribution to prosecution costs of £10,000.
