Farm ordered to pay nearly £20,000 after slurry pollution incidents in Devon and Somerset
Environmental fines issued for inadequate slurry management
A family farm in Devon has been fined nearly £20,000 after being found guilty of causing pollution through improper slurry management.
D I & R Dyer, operating from Crawley Farm in Yarcombe, was penalised following two incidents involving slurry spreading and storage in a tributary of the River Yarty.
The Exeter Magistrates Court heard that the farm was fined £6,600, with additional costs including a £2,000 victim surcharge and £7,368 in court fees.
Separate charges were brought against Derek Dyer, 76, who was fined £2,500 and given a £1,000 victim surcharge for failing to properly manage organic manure application and storage.
Both pollution occurrences were linked to difficulties in slurry management, exacerbated by previous issues with slurry storage facilities.
The initial incident was reported on 1st May 2024, when a concerned member of the public notified authorities about slurry spread on bare soil at Street Ash, Somerset.
Subsequent Environment Agency inspections revealed saturated conditions leading to polluted runoff entering the River Yarty's tributary.
A second report on 20th May 2025 identified high ammonia levels in the river, linked to slurry discharge and silage effluent entering watercourses at Crawley Farm.
Further inspection uncovered improper storage of manure, which breached regulations against storing organic materials within 10 metres of watercourses.
The Environment Agency has consistently engaged with Crawley Farm due to its historical difficulties in managing agricultural waste, providing repeated guidance and warnings.
Despite an extensive history of advisory interaction dating back to a 2004 order following contamination incidents, the necessary infrastructure improvements, including an approved slurry store, have yet to be implemented.
An Environment Agency spokesperson emphasised the importance of compliance with farming regulations, highlighting Derek Dyer's repeat offences over nearly two decades.
“Derek Dyer has failed to learn his lesson despite multiple prosecutions and formal warnings. Today’s outcome demonstrates that we will not hesitate to prosecute repeat polluters who fail to listen to Environment Agency advice and warnings,” the spokesperson said.