A VALE farmer, who was responsible for the death of more than 500 fish when he polluted a brook with slurry, has been fined £2,000.
Michael Miller, of Greville Farm, Hinton-on-the-Green, answered a charge of polluting Battleton Brook, brought by the Environment Agency at Worcester Magistrates Court.
The court heard that on January 16 2001, the Agency received reports of pollution on the Battleton Brook in Evesham. A protection officer found approximately 540 dead fish.
Signs indicated the pollution had been caused by slurry entering the brook, which affected a two-and-a-half kilometre stretch of water.
Richard Wilkes, for Miller, said the incident was a pump failure over Christmas and bad weather contributed to the situation.
Miller pleaded guilty to the charge under the Water Resources Act and was also ordered to pay £1,066.54p in costs.
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