EPA Prosecutes a Pig Farmer

On the 8th of November 2007 at Cavan District Court, a Pig Farmer (Licensee) pleaded guilty to three charges brought by the Environmental Protection Agency in relation to offences under Section 8 and Section 86(6) of the Environmental Protection Agency Acts 1992 and 2003 for breaches of his IPC Licence (Reg. No. P0493-01).

The Licensee admitted breaching conditions of his licence by:

1. Carrying out land spreading activities other than in accordance with a Nutrient Management Plan agreed in advance with the EPA;
2. Failing to maintain on site a Slurry/Manure Register;
3. Failing to report the details from the register of land spread slurry/manure to the Agency.

On hearing details of the offences Judge Sean McBride found the case proven but applied the Probation Act and ordered that a donation of €1,000 be made payable to the local Hospice.  EPA costs of €7,200 were also awarded.

The Licensee was granted an IPC licence (Reg. No. P0493-01) on the 11th day of May 2000 for the rearing of pigs.  The facility is located at  Ballinagh, County Cavan.

This prosecution was taken following a site inspection of the facility by the Office of Environmental Enforcement on 11th July 2007.