Court fines Moy Park over environmental failings at Larne Road facility in Ballymena

Moy Park Limited has been fined £4,000 at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court following a series of environmental breaches at its facility on Larne Road, Ballymena.

The penalty was imposed after the company pleaded guilty to failing to comply with conditions set out in its pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit, in contravention of Regulation 36(1)(b) of the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013.

Officers from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) carried out inspections at the site between 1st and 11th July 2024, uncovering several violations of the permit.

These included:

• Failure to handle and store animal by-products in suitably leak-proof, covered receptacles;

• Failure to maintain all plant and equipment in good operating condition;

• Failure to store all Category 3 materials in enclosed bins;

• And failure to notify the Chief Inspector without delay of any fugitive emissions that had caused, were causing, or may have caused significant pollution.

Following the court’s decision, Moy Park Limited has been ordered to pay the full amount of the fine within three months.

The Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations are designed to safeguard the environment and public health by ensuring industrial operators follow strict procedures to manage waste, emissions, and hazardous materials.

A spokesperson for Moy Park commented:

“The proceedings related to historic issues over a short period in the run up to the busy July bank holiday in Northern Ireland last year. All issues were rectified to the satisfaction of the regulator shortly after the incident dates.

“In addition, the site has benefited from a continuing programme of site investment and production improvement works to eliminate the risk of reoccurrence.

“As confirmed by the court, no actual pollution occurred.”

The NIEA has not issued a public statement at this time, but the case underlines the importance of adhering to permit conditions, particularly where environmental risks are involved.