Newark Transport fined £1,000 after blood spillage

- Published: 21 April, 2010

A North of England haulage firm has been fined £1,000 after animal by-products, including blood, were found to have spilled on to a Suffolk road.

Newark Transport, of Sheffield, admitted breaching hygiene regulations on a highway near Bury St Edmunds, during a hearing before Ipswich magistrates.

The court heard that the company had been transporting Category Two poultry waste, which included
animal by-products and blood, when it leaked on to the road.

The spillage, in August of last year, was spotted and photographed by local residents, who reported it to council environmental officers.

Suffolk County Council’s fair trading officer Janet Knight confirmed that the waste was being transported from the Moy Plant in Derbyshire.

“Suffolk Trading Standards takes such spillages very seriously. A blood mixture that leaks on to the highway could potentially spread livestock diseases, such as foot-and-mouth, over a very wide area.

“Disease outbreaks can have a major impact on the farming community and the UK as a whole. The level of fine imposed by the courts sends a clear message to those involved in the collection and transportation of animal by-products to ensure that they understand and adhere to the rules.”

The company was also ordered to pay £800 costs.

>> NFUs warn against further transport legislation

>> Waitrose puts a lid on it