Farmer is fined after effluent ran into burn

Apr 24 2008 By Alastair McNeill

A STRATHAVEN farmer has been fined £1000 for polluting a burn with silage effluent.

More than 100 fish were killed during the incident on June 10 and 11 last year.

James Stobo, of Boag Farm, Sandford, last week pleaded guilty to a charge under the Water Environment Regulations 2005.

The 43-year-old dairy farmer admitted causing pollution of the water environment by storing silage and silage effluent in a silo that failed to contain the material.

According to the charge, the effluent entered an unnamed tributary of the Kype Water, flowed downstream to the Kype Water and the fish were killed as result.

The farmer did not have a valid authorisation to allow the release of silage effluent into a watercourse.

At Hamilton Sheriff Court last week Sheriff John Stewart fined Stobo £1000, payable by instalments of £200 per month.

Scottish Environmental Protection Agency unit manager Iain Cruickshank said this week: “The farmer was aware that his silo was leaking, but did not think the silage was gaining entry to the nearby watercourse.

“After SEPA officers visited the farm and pointed out the problem, swift action was taken by the farmer to contain the leak.”

Stobo created a temporary sump to catch the effluent and prevent it from continuing to enter the watercourse.

SEPA officers checked it the following day.

They found it to be an adequate temporary measure as the watercourse was running clear.

SEPA director of environmental protection and improvement Colin Bayes pointed out that advice and guidance on environmental rules and regulations can be accessed at www sepa.org.uk and www.netregs.gov.uk.

He added: “We want to help people avoid pollution and advice on how to do that is easily available from our staff, officers and these websites.

“However, if a pollution incident occurs, we urge anyone to let us know straight away by calling our 24-hour pollution report line 0800 80 70 60, giving as many details as possible so that effective action can be taken.”