Welsh dairy farmers fined over slurry store collapse

A family farm business in west Wales has been fined following the collapse of its slurry store, which caused significant pollution of local waterways.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) prosecuted Rhydsais Cyf, located at Rhydsais Farm in Talgarreg, Ceredigion, after the dairy farm’s slurry store collapsed on February 16, 2022.

This released an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 gallons of slurry into an unnamed tributary of the Afon Clettwr Fach, leading to pollution that extended 12km downstream to the confluence of the Afon Clettwr with the Afon Teifi.

See also: Guide to safe storage and spreading of slurry and fertiliser

NRW prosecuted the farm after water samples confirmed high pollution levels. The pollution was first reported by a director of Rhydsais Cyf and by members of the public.

The pollution caused heavy discolouration, foam, and a strong odour of slurry in the river downstream, with at least six dead fish discovered in the Afon Clettwr Fach.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water detected high ammonia levels at the Llechryd Water Treatment Works abstraction point, prompting its closure until the levels decreased.

The investigation revealed that the slurry store, dating back to the 1970s, had not undergone formal maintenance apart from visual inspections in the past decade.

NRW argued that the collapse was due to the slurry store being beyond its intended lifespan and being poorly maintained.

Rhydsais Cyf was found guilty under the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016 and fined a total of £13,035.

This included a £5,000 fine, a £190 victim surcharge, and £7,845 towards NRW’s prosecution costs.

Dr Carol Fielding, team leader of the Ceredigion environment team, highlighted the severe environmental impact and stressed the importance of proper slurry store maintenance by farmers to prevent such incidents.

© Natural Resources Wales