Dairy Crest, the maker of Cathedral City cheddar and official supplier of cheese to the Queen, has been fined £1.52m for pollution offences – the largest fine ever awarded for an Environment Agency (EA) conviction in the South West.
The firm had previously pleaded guilty to 21 offences, which relate to numerous environmental breaches at its Davidstow creamery – the UK’s largest – near Camelford between 2016 and 2021.
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The incidents included releasing harmful biocide into the River Inny (a tributary of the River Tamar), coating the river with a noxious, black sludge, consistently exceeding phosphorous limits, numerous leaks of part-treated effluent, as well as creating foul odours affecting residents.
About 1.3m litres of milk is brought to the site daily from about 370 local dairy farms, and about 1.2m litres of treated process effluent is discharged into the upper reaches of the River Inny daily.
Judge Simon Carr, presiding in Truro Crown Court, explained that the company had expanded its production with a new facility, but this had also produced more effluent.
There were problems from the start, but Dairy Crest – now owned by Saputo Dairy UK – continued to operate, breaching limits that were already in place.
Judge Carr said the smells from the plant blighted the lives of local residents, who were worried about the effects on their health and quality of life.
He also blamed senior and middle management failures, and a “culture of bullying” at the waste water facility.
As well as the fine of £1.52m, costs amounting to £272,746 have already been paid.
Unacceptable
Commenting on the case, the EA said the environmental performance of Dairy Crest has been unacceptable for too long.
“Ever since the site changed production to focus on whey processing, particularly to produce powder used in baby milk and other products, the effluent being discharged into the River Inny has been more challenging to treat,” it said.
“This has resulted in unacceptable pollution of the local river, causing significant harm to fish and other aquatic wildlife.”
Helen Dobby, EA area director, said a company as large and well-established as Dairy Crest should be up to the job of maintaining the required environmental standards.
“Instead, it has over a period of many years failed to comply with its environmental permit and not been able to protect local people and the environment.”
Apologies
In a statement, Dairy Crest said; “Once again, the company would like to express its sincere apologies to those who have been affected.
“Considerable work has been undertaken to rectify the historic issues to which the prosecution related.
“The company continues to invest significant resources in the best technology, processes and people to further improve its environmental performance and minimise its impact on the local community.”
