Snowie Limited, an organic waste disposal contractor based in Stirlingshire, was today fined £3000 Stirling Sheriff Court. The company pled guilty to a charge under section 33(1)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 of disposing of waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment. The fine comes after a report was filed with the Procurator Fiscal by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) following an incident took place in November 1997.

During the incident, Snowie spread pot ale from the distilling industry on a waterlogged field at Wester Coillechat Farm, by Doune. As a result, the pot ale mixed with standing water on the field and ran off into a tributary of the River Teith, causing pollution of that tributary.

Douglas Johnstone, a SEPA Team Leader, said after the hearing:
"We are very pleased with the outcome of this case and that the fine imposed reflected the severity of the pollution incident. When spreading waste to land, SEPA advise that the Prevention of Environmental Pollution From Agricultural Activity (PEPFAA) Guidelines are followed to prevent pollution. On this occasion, these guidelines were not followed and the result was pollution of a nearby watercourse. We hope that this case sends a clear signal to other contractors, highlighting the importance of following the PEPFFA guidelines when spreading organic waste and also the penalty which can result where waste is not spread in a suitable manner."

SEPA has prepared and submitted a report on Organic Waste to Land to the Scottish Executive, outlining SEPA's position on the spreading of organic waste. This document can be obtained from SEPA Public Affairs, or from the SEPA Web site, www.sepa.org.uk.