Fined for ‘potential foot and mouth outbreak’
Page 18
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
FD Todd & Sons was fined £20,000 for its part in an illegal food waste disposal operation
By Roger Brown
WASTE HAULIER FD Todd & Sons has been ined £20,000 for its part in a food waste disposal operation described as having the potential to cause “another foot and mouth outbreak” .
In an Environment Agency (EA) prosecution, Harrogate Magistrates’ Court was told how the meat waste from ready-meals manufacturer Pro-Pak Foods, based in Malton, North Yorkshire, was taken away by Thirsk-based Todds to farms operated by Coast to Coast Recycling.
Holly Webb, prosecuting for the EA, said environment oficers went to Home Farm in Aldwark on 2 March 2011 and saw a Todds truck leaving. In a nearby ield, there were around 10 tonnes of mixed food waste, which included rice, pasta, noodles, pepperoni and luncheon meat dumped in a corner. Sheep were also spotted grazing in the same ield.
Pro-Pak Foods told oficers it had believed the food waste had been going to landill. It was ined £3,200 and ordered to pay costs of £1,848 for failing to properly complete a waste transfer note, contrary to the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991.
FD Todd & Sons said Pro-Pak Foods had changed what was going into their food waste without informing them. The irm offered an apology for the failings that had given rise to the offences, and said remedial measures had been taken.
It was also ordered to pay costs of £1,781 for failing to ensure an accurate written description of food waste contrary to the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991, as well as depositing food waste without an environmental permit, contrary to the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Coast to Coast Recycling told oficers it thought the food waste was mashed potato and vegetables that was going to be fed to the sheep. It was ined £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,766 for operating a food waste operation without an Environmental Permit, contrary to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 and the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999.
The court was told how the transportation and dumping of the waste had the potential to cause another foot and mouth outbreak.
It has been illegal to feed proteins (meat) to animals since 1988.
Further laws were introduced from 2005 to help prevent the spread of viral diseases, such as foot and mouth, swine fever and avian lu, as well as bacterial diseases like salmonella and e-coli.
The magistrates said it was for all irms involved to have knowledge of the legislation and they had a responsibility to comply with it.