Rule breaking frozen food firm hands conversation charity more than £23k

A river conservation charity has been handed thousands of pounds by a farming company after it spread waste sludge on land illegally.

The Thorganby, York, based farming business JE Harley Limited has donated £23,640 to the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust as part of an Environment Agency enforcement undertaking following its rule breaking.

This voluntary undertaking is where companies in breach of environmental law look to make amends for their offending.

According to the Agency the company has been able to spread waste, from its work producing frozen vegetables for supermarkets and food manufacturers, on its own land.

Through this permit, whereby the firm needed to make an application for each time it intended to spread the waste and giving details around the reason, quantity, and location.

Spreading, of quantities up to 10,530 tonnes, took place every year from 2013 to 2021 but during this time just four applications were made.

“Therefore, the company avoided paying applications fees which ranged from £760 to £1,718 each time,” said the Environment Agency.

“It is vital that companies are aware of their environmental obligations,” said Claire Barrow, the Environment Agency’s North Yorkshire environment manager.

“In this case JE Hartley Limited recognised that they had failed to comply with their environmental permit, and we deemed it appropriate to accept an enforcement undertaking offer, which ensured that all avoided application costs were donated to a project that will enhance, restore and protect England’s natural environment.

“In some circumstances, enforcement undertakings can achieve a good resolution of our enforcement action, allowing the offender to put things right and help to improve our environment.

“This payment of £23,640 will do just that by supporting the work of the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust.”

The charity supports the conservation of rivers in Swale, Ure, Nidd, Wharfe and Ouse in Yorkshire. Projects include improving water quality, flood management, increasing biodiversity and engaging with local communities through its education outreach work.