A farmer has been sentenced for persistently polluting a river with farm effluent.
David Benjamin Huw Marks, Cwrt Farm, Pentrecwrt, pleaded guilty to offences under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016.
He appeared before court on September 11th, 2020 and was sentenced at Llanelli Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (October 15th).
The farmer ordered to pay a total of £12,497.10 – a £6,000 fine, £6,327.10 costs, and £170 victim surcharge.
Silage tank
Marks had failed to empty a silage tank regularly causing the tank to overflow and drain into the Afon Gwr Fach on three separate occasions between December 2017 and December 2018.
The court heard sewage fungus was found along the 0.75kkm length of the Afon Gwr Fach from Cwrt Farm to the confluence of the Teifi.
The fungus had grown as a result of silage effluent running into the river.
It was evident that no previous warnings or advice given by NRW officers had been adhered to by the owners of the farm. Pollution of the watercourse had been allowed to continue.
‘Most farmers act responsibly’
Ioan Williams, environment team leader for Natural Resources Wales (NRW), said: “NRW works closely with all partners involved in the agricultural sector to minimise the risk of agricultural pollution from occurring.”
“This work is coordinated by the Wales Land Management Forum sub-group. Improvements are being made and most farmers act responsibly in their waste and nutrient management practices.”
“We recognise that sometimes things do go wrong, but we urge farmers that if they know they have caused pollution, to report it to us at NRW immediately by calling 0300 065 3000. The sooner we know about it, the sooner we can work with them to try and reduce the impact on the environment.” Williams concluded.
