A dairy farmer from Upcott Dairy Farm in Sampford Arundel has been ordered to pay £10,000 in costs and received a 14-week suspended prison sentence after allowing slurry to persistently run off into a nearby stream.
David Bartlett, 70, appeared for sentencing before District Judge Brereton at Taunton magistrates’ court, having previously pleaded guilty to three offences relating to pollution of the Westford stream, a tributary of the River Tone. The case was brought by the Environment Agency, which detailed a long history of Bartlett’s failure to properly contain slurry and multiple warnings in the past for polluting the stream.
Background of the Case
The court heard that monitoring data from October 2022 led officers to the pollution site two months later, where they discovered significant amounts of sewage fungus contaminating the watercourse bed. As they continued upstream towards Upcott Dairy Farm, colonies of bloodworm—a species tolerant to pollution and indicative of poor water quality—were found. No other invertebrate life was noted.
Near the farm, officers witnessed a nearby ditch suddenly discharging a significant amount of effluent with the appearance and smell of slurry. This was quickly traced back to an overflowing underground slurry tank on Bartlett’s farm. Further investigation revealed that Bartlett was using a simple pipe to dispose of slurry in a single location, leading to significant contamination around the end of the pipe and down the field toward the stream.
Environmental Impact
A subsequent visit found slurry being pumped onto waterlogged land with no attempt to use it for crop benefit. The slurry was several inches thick, indicating prolonged pumping. A biologist’s survey confirmed that the Westford stream had experienced repeated, acute, and sustained chronic pollution events due to the slurry.
Bartlett submitted a statement to the Environment Agency with limited admissions, implying that others, including his neighbour and the local authority, were responsible. He denied deliberately pumping slurry into the watercourse.
Judicial Findings and Future Actions
Judge Brereton noted significant aggravating features, including Bartlett’s previous warnings, his failure to perform proper checks, and his lack of structural improvements despite receiving funds from the Rural Payments Agency.
David Womack of the Environment Agency commented, “This farmer has, over the years, caused numerous pollution incidents and has repeatedly failed to acknowledge advice or improve his slurry storage facilities. We hope Mr. Bartlett will now work with us to voluntarily improve the facilities at Upcott Dairy Farm. If he doesn’t, we won’t hesitate to use other legislative powers to reduce the risk of further pollution.”
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