SEPA officers have attended a pollution incident which occurred at around 4.30pm on Thursday 29th November 2001.

Approximately 450,000 litres of pig slurry were spilled into the Gadie Burn, a tributary of the River Urie.

SEPA officers notified all known water abstractors downstream of the incident and the River Don District Salmon Fishery Board have been informed and advised to take appropriate precautionary measures..

SEPA officers are on site to ensure that any adverse environmental effect is mitigated. One immediate action already taken is the establishment of hay bale and earthwork bunds, to minimise the amount of slurry entering the watercourse

Ongoing assessment of this incident will continue during daylight hours including further examination by SEPA Environment Protection Officers and Ecologists

Stewart Mitchell of SEPA said: "This is obviously a very serious incident and the impact on the Gadie Burn and the River Urie will be significant. SEPA officers responded quickly but the causes of the discharge are still under investigation. In these circumstances, if appropriate, enforcement action may be taken."

ENDS