Dorset farmer Mark Pearson faces fines in Yeovil after failing to install required slurry storage at Hanford Farm

Dorset Farmer Penalised Over Slurry Storage Failures.

A farmer in Dorset has been fined after repeatedly failing to upgrade slurry storage facilities at his farm, despite years of warnings and enforcement action.

Mark Pearson, who operates Hanford Farm in Blandford, appeared before magistrates in Yeovil on 24 February. He admitted breaching environmental rules and was ordered to pay a £1,200 fine.

In addition, the court imposed a £480 victim surcharge and awarded £4,075 in prosecution costs.

The case was brought by the Environment Agency, which said the farmer had not complied with a legal notice requiring improvements to slurry storage capacity.

A History of Pollution Concerns

The court heard that Hanford Farm had been linked to several pollution incidents dating back to 2012. Officials had advised Pearson to expand slurry storage facilities to reduce the risk of agricultural runoff entering nearby watercourses.

The farm lies within a designated Nitrate Vulnerable Zone — areas identified as being at risk from nitrate pollution caused by agricultural practices.

Farmers operating in these zones must adhere to strict rules governing slurry storage capacity and the timing and quantity of spreading. These measures are intended to prevent excess nitrates from contaminating groundwater and rivers.

Despite guidance from regulators, adequate storage infrastructure was not constructed.

Pollution Spotted by Chance

In January 2019, an Environment Agency officer noticed what appeared to be slurry flowing into a stream while walking his dog. The officer traced the runoff back to a field at Hanford Farm and documented the incident with photographs.

During a formal interview under caution, Pearson admitted that slurry spreading from the farm had caused the pollution.

Enforcement Attempts and Missed Deadlines

Rather than proceeding directly to court at that time, Pearson agreed to an Enforcement Undertaking. This alternative to prosecution required him to donate £2,000 to the National Trust and commit to increasing slurry storage capacity.

However, the promised slurry lagoon was not completed.

As a result, the Environment Agency revived the original pollution case. In November 2024, Pearson was fined £2,500 for that offence.

He was subsequently served with an Anti-Pollution Works Notice under the Water Resources Act 1991. The notice required installation and commissioning of a new slurry storage system by 1 October 2024. Although Pearson had the right to appeal the notice, he did not do so.

When officers inspected the farm on 16 October 2024, they found that the required work had still not been carried out.

Additional slurry storage has now finally been installed.

Impact and Consequences

The failure to properly store slurry can have serious environmental implications. When slurry enters streams or groundwater, it introduces high levels of nitrates and organic matter. This can reduce oxygen levels in water, harm fish and wildlife, and degrade ecosystems.

For farmers, non-compliance can result in escalating enforcement measures — from advisory visits and voluntary undertakings to prosecution, court fines, and significant legal costs.

In this case, the combined financial penalties — including multiple fines, costs, and charitable payments — amounted to several thousand pounds, in addition to the expense of ultimately installing compliant storage facilities.

What’s Next?

With new slurry storage now in place, the expectation is that Hanford Farm will meet regulatory requirements moving forward. Continued monitoring by the Environment Agency is likely, especially given the farm’s previous history of pollution incidents.

Farmers in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones are encouraged to review official guidance on proper slurry and silage storage to avoid similar enforcement action.

Summary

A Dorset farmer has faced prosecution and substantial financial penalties after years of failing to upgrade slurry storage at his farm.

Despite repeated advice, an alternative settlement, and a formal legal notice, required improvements were not made until after court action was taken.

The case highlights the importance of complying with environmental regulations, particularly in sensitive areas designated as vulnerable to nitrate pollution.

Bulleted Takeaways:

• A Dorset farmer was fined £1,200 for failing to comply with a slurry storage notice.
• The case was prosecuted by the Environment Agency.
• Multiple pollution incidents at the farm date back to 2012.
• The farm is located in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone with strict regulatory requirements.
• An earlier Enforcement Undertaking included a £2,000 payment to the National Trust.
• A separate £2,500 fine was issued in November 2024 for the original pollution offence.
• A legal notice requiring new slurry storage was ignored until after the compliance deadline passed.
• Additional slurry storage has now been installed.