Farmer fined after covering road with potatoes, mud and silt

An estimated 50 to 100 tonnes of soil from the field had run off the field down onto the A358 and then into the watercourse

clock • 3 min read
David Womack, senior environment officer at the Environment Agency, said: "David Mitchell had control and custody of the land he rented up until the point of harvest and was therefore responsible for the land management practices. He chose to grow a high-risk crop on a sloping field with light soils."
Image:

David Womack, senior environment officer at the Environment Agency, said: "David Mitchell had control and custody of the land he rented up until the point of harvest and was therefore responsible for the land management practices. He chose to grow a high-risk crop on a sloping field with light soils."

A farmer has been order to pay more than £40,000 after causing silt, soil and potatoes to escape from an unharvested field and pollute a tributary of the River Tone in Somerset. Potato farmer David...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358
Register for free Join Now

 

More on Rural crime

Farmer fined after covering road with potatoes, mud and silt
Rural crime

Farmer fined after covering road with potatoes, mud and silt

An estimated 50 to 100 tonnes of soil from the field had run off the field down onto the A358 and then into the watercourse

Chris Brayford
clock 05 July 2025 • 3 min read
'Brave' three-year-old killed by 'dangerous' dogs on-farm
Rural crime

'Brave' three-year-old killed by 'dangerous' dogs on-farm

Daniel Twigg, 3, died at Carr Farm, Rochdale, on May 15 2022

Chris Brayford
clock 04 July 2025 • 2 min read
Farmers urged to report suspicious activities after hare coursing reports
Rural crime

Farmers urged to report suspicious activities after hare coursing reports

Police say information from farms is crucial for tackling these crimes

Alex Black
Alex Black
clock 01 July 2025 • 2 min read