EPA Prosecutes a Pig Farmer

On the 21st April 2006 at Cavan District Court, Co Cavan, The Environmental Protection Agency took a prosecution against a Pig Farmer (Licensee)Mountnugent, Co. Cavan, in relation to offences under Sections 8 & 84(2) of the Environmental Protection Agency Acts, 1992 and 2003 for breaches of his IPC Licence (Reg. No. 642).

The Licensee pleaded guilty to three charges of carrying out landspreading on lands not approved by the EPA and also on lands not included in the Nutrient Management Plan. He was also found guilty of failing to provide tanks with lockable valves in line, an appropriate reception pit with level alarm, an external safety ladder and railed platform, measures for protection of tanks and a partial earthen bund. Breach of these conditions has the potential to significantly impair the local environment and cause contamination of surface water.

On hearing details of the offences from an EPA inspector, Judge McBride imposed fines totalling €1,000 and the EPA’s costs of €6,837 were also awarded.

The Licensee was granted an IPC licence (Reg. No. 642) on 7th October 2003 for the rearing of pigs.

This prosecution was undertaken following the notification by Cavan County Council to the EPA of unauthorised landspreading at the facility which the Council investigated on 1st April 2005. Following this notification, the Office of Environmental Enforcement undertook an audit on the 6th April 2005 and subsequently issued legal proceedings following these investigations.