£65,000 fine comes before the egg

One of the largest egg producers in the UK has been fined a total of £65,000 for operating without the required environmental permits

Lincolnshire company L J Fairburn ran five sites across the county between 1 February 2007 and 17 February 2012, each containing more than 40,000 birds, without having the appropriate authorisation, Skegness Magistrates’ Court heard.

Under the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 units with more than 40,000 places for poultry need a permit.

According to Anne-Lise McDonald, prosecuting for the Environment Agency, Fairburn failed to apply for permits in 2010 even though the company knew they were required. As a result, the company avoided annual subsistence fees of more than £47,000, she said.

In addition to the £65,000 penalty, Fairburn was also ordered to costs of £9,500. The company said it was embarrassed by its failure, but that the farms were now compliant with permitting rules.