Dorset farmer fined for neglecting slurry storage rules
Mark Pearson received a fine of £1,200
Last updated 25th Feb 2026
A Dorset farmer has been fined for failing to increase slurry storage at his farm, leading to pollution incidents and a breach of Environmental Regulations.
Mark Pearson of Hanford Farm in Blandford, Dorset, appeared before Yeovil Magistrates Court on 2nd December, where he pleaded guilty to the offence.
He received a fine of £1,200 and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £480, along with full costs of £4,075.
Additional slurry storage has now been installed at the farm.
The court heard about multiple pollution incidents since 2012, indicating insufficient slurry storage capacity.
The farm is situated in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone, which carries specific requirements for slurry storage and spreading to mitigate environmental risks.
Pearson was initially provided advice by the Environment Agency to increase storage.
In January 2019, an Environment Agency officer, whilst on a walk with his dog, observed slurry in a stream.
The runoff was traced back to Hanford Farm.
He traced the runoff to a field at Hanford Farm and took photographs as evidence.
In a formal interview under caution, Pearson admitted the slurry spreading had caused the pollution.
An Enforcement Undertaking - an alternative penalty to formal court proceedings - was agreed upon, where Pearson made a £2,000 contribution to the National Trust and committed to increasing slurry storage.
Despite this resolution, Pearson failed to complete the necessary slurry lagoon.
He was charged by the Environment agency with the original polluting offence, leading to a £2,500 fine in November 2024.
Pearson was finally given an Anti-Pollution Works Notice setting out what improvement works were deemed necessary to reduce the risk of pollution, but he failed to comply with the deadline of 1st October 2024.
The notice included a right of appeal, which was not exercised.
A visit to the farm on 16th October 2024 confirmed no new slurry store had been completed.
Chris Westcott from the Environment Agency said:
“Pearson has consistently failed to deliver on his promises to the Environment Agency that slurry storage would be increased. We first highlighted this issue in 2015.
“We have been more than patient with the farmer, but the promised improvements never materialised, and the offending continued which left us with no alternative but to pursue enforcement actions.”