by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
Milk was among the food waste polluting the Towns Croft Drain, in Grimsby
A factory has been fined £30,000 after allowing milk and other food waste to pollute a nearby watercourse.
The pollution from the company's premises killed a large number of creatures in Towns Croft Drain, in Grimsby, and fish were also adversely affected by the discharge from the premises owned by Bakkavor Foods, magistrates heard.
Bakkavor Foods, which pleaded guilty to two charges, was also ordered to pay £1,710 in costs after failing to dispose properly of its waste.
The pollution was first spotted by a member of public in August 28, 2007 when it was noticed that a tributary of the Towns Croft Drain was milky white and smelt of rotten eggs.
An Environment Agency investigation traced the contamination back to the site of Bakkavor Foods.
The court heard the officer found that waste management at the premises was poor, and that yard surfaces had become contaminated with food waste including milk, which is the most highly polluting of all foods. Other foodstuffs such as pasta, rice, carrots and beans, too, were found in the Towns Croft Drain.
Following the hearing, Environment Agency officer Christian Martin said: "Despite being warned following the first incident in August, the company again allowed highly organic polluting matter to enter the watercourse.
"This should send out a clear message to companies that the Environment Agency will take action against those who disregard environmental law."
© M Smith (Veshengro)
Firm fined over milk and food waste polluting watercourse
