Preston Dairy Farm Slapped with Hefty Fine for Toxic Slurry Spills
A local Preston dairy farm has landed in hot water after repeated pollution breaches saw it penalised in court. E & A Forshaw (Partnership), operating Bolton Fold Farm in Alston, Preston, was hauled before Lancaster Magistrates’ Court on January 7, 2025, following serious illegal slurry discharges into nearby Tun Brook.
Slurry Spill Shocks: Farm’s Toxic Waste Pollutes Waterways
The partnership pleaded guilty to three charges: two for illegal slurry dumping into Tun Brook and one for failing slurry storage regulations. The court hit them with a £3,000 fine, £7,301.70 costs, plus a £300 victim surcharge.
How Did This Happen? Two Major Pollution Blunders
- November 2019: A pipe broke during slurry spreading, dumping waste into Tun Brook.
- January 2020: Officers found a damaged slurry lagoon leaking straight into the water.
Environment Agency Area Manager Nicki Rushton stressed these slurry rules have stood strong for over 30 years, making violations unacceptable.
Farm Acts Fast: Cleanup and Upgrades Underway
- Swift cleanup operations right after the first spill.
- Built a brand-new slurry storage facility up to modern legal standards.
- Rolled out tougher waste management plans to avoid repeats.
Why Proper Slurry Handling Matters
DEFRA warns that sloppy slurry management devastates water quality and harms aquatic life. This case underlines how crucial it is for farms to stick to environmental laws — or face the wrath of the courts.
For the latest on farm pollution laws and compliance, visit the Environment Agency website.
