A Pershore farm and fruit and veg wholesaler is accused of breaching pollution regulations by the Environment Agency.

Springhill Farms Ltd in Salters Lane, Lower Moor is facing charges for 16 alleged breaches of Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations which relate to the spreading of organic manure. 

The agency claims it failed to ensure nitrogen levels remained below the allowed 250kg limit per hectare in a 12-month period on multiple fields owned by the farm.

Under UK regulations, the land occupier may only exceed that limit if the following three conditions are met:

  • Organic manure is in the form of certified green compost or certified green/food compost.
  • The total amount of nitrogen in the form of green compost or green/food compost which is spread on any given hectare of land on the holding does not exceed—

(a) 500kg in any two-year period, whether the compost is spread as mulch or incorporated into the soil, or

(b) In the case of orchard land, 1,000kg in any four-year period if it is spread as mulch.

  • No other form of organic manure is spread over the land in question during the applicable period

It is also facing two separate charges for failing to comply with or contravene environmental permit conditions.

The farm is predominantly a wholesale fruit and veg business which grows a selection of produce including tomatoes, spring onions, asparagus and courgettes.

A case management hearing is set to take place at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court today, however, the defendant is not required to attend. 

Springhill Farms is yet to enter a plea.

Worcester News contacted the farm for comment, but they did not respond by our deadline.