Nutrient Management Plan 2023
Western Brand operate under IED licence from the Agency at Ballyhaunis, County
Mayo under Ref: P0831-02.
For the period 1 January 2023 to date, I wish to request all records on the EPA
LEMA and EDEN systems in respect of Licence P0831-02
Nutrient Management Plan 2023
Western Brand expect to generate the following quantities of organic wastes during 2023:
4,500MT of WWTP Sludge
OEE AIE 2023 45
Notes:
In 2011, the EPA changed the reporting requirements for pig/poultry waste
Licensees are required to submit to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine the completed records of movement of organic fertiliser from the installation (referred to as ‘Record 3’ by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine).
Record 3 data is not in the public domain
See associated notice published by DAFM in the Irish Independent Newspaper (Farming Supplement) on 22/11/2011 and the Irish Farmers Journal on the 26/11/2011 below in Appendix 1. I also attach the associated press release issued 25th January 2012, in Appendix 2.
But, sometimes the EPA may request pig/poultry waste data, and where they do request that data, it is in the public domain via LEAP Online
The Office of Enforcement confirmed that, for instance, where an issue relating to slurry might arise at a licensed site, the inspector enforcing the licence may request the licensee to submit information. The information received is uploaded to LEAP Online.
OEE has also confirmed that records relating to slurry held on-site by the licensee may be checked during site visits by enforcement inspectors.
Occasionally, if the records are not available on the day of the inspection, the enforcement inspector may ask the licensee to submit them to the EPA. In such circumstances, the EPA uploads those records to LEAP Online. Such requests by inspectors are not routine.
For clarity – if the situation arises where a licensee submits information to the EPA of the type they are obliged to submit to DAFM, either arising from a site visit by an inspector or an issue arising on-site, the EPA uploads this information to LEAP Online.
There may be a limited number of records relating to slurry movements received in 2023 available on a case by case basis on LEAP Online.
This was listed as an ACTION in the Nitrates Expert Group Meeting Minutes
9.30–11.00, 13th September 2023
DAFM/EPA will meet again to discuss Pigs and Poultry data exchange
No further information, but it’s understood that EPA may not currently share slurry related data on regulated sites with the DAFM, so DAFM cannot compare with their own data
Also note from previous AIEs the number of pig and poultry operations licenced by EPA does not match the number given by DAFM as above the stocking threshold for EPA licence. This discrepancy was never explained
Nitrates Expert Group Meeting Minutes, 11.30 – 13.00, 2nd August 2023
AIE
OES AIE 2023 01
Under the AIE Regs to request a list of intensive agricultural sites that have been notified to the EPA by Local Authorities, which are below the stocking threshold for EPA licencing, to include the date first notified to EPA, and the general reasons for notification
For the purposes of this AIE please consider the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 YTD
AIE/23/085 Appealed to OCEI
Register of cattle herds with over 500 cattle per head, to include the herd number and location of each cattle farm
AAIE/23/050 Appealed to OCEI
Herd number and location of derogation farms in the Electoral District of Dripsey, Cork in 2021
AIE 23075 Internal Review
Register of poultry flocks with over 10000 / 40000 birds
AAIE/23/074 Internal Review
Pig farms with over 1000 pigs
Planning application details ref: 22991 Mayo County Council
https://www.eplanning.ie/MayoCC/AppFileRefDetails/22991/0
Planning application details ref: 2361 Mayo County Council
https://www.eplanning.ie/MayoCC/AppFileRefDetails/2361/0
The installation of a 392 cubic meter above ground tank to store fully treated effluent prior to final discharge to Dalgan River, together with all ancillary site works and services. The proposed tank is an addition/extension to the existing tank storage facility previously approved (planning ref P21/859). The development relates to a current Industrial Emissions licence (Ref: P0831-02)
Planning application details ref: 221074 Mayo County Council
https://www.eplanning.ie/MayoCC/AppFileRefDetails/221074/0
Intensification of production of broiler chickens from 100,000 to 112,000 birds at the existing facility and within the existing four broiler chicken houses, including all ancillary site works and services
Planning application details ref: 20979 Mayo County Council
https://www.eplanning.ie/MayoCC/AppFileRefDetails/20979/0
THE LAYING OF A 150MM DIAMETER UNDERGROUND DISCHARGE PIPE 3.5KM IN LENGTH FROM EXISTING FACTORY IN KNOCKAUNACAT TO PROPOSED OUTFALL AT THE GWEESTION STREAM ANNAGH PASSING THROUGH TOWNLANDS OF KNOCKAUNACAT, DERRYMORE, ERRIFF, ISLAND AND ANNAGH, TOGETHER WITH ALL ANCILLARY SITE WORKS AND SERVICES
AIE 23/075
Request under AIE Regs was:
A register of poultry flocks with:
– over 10000 birds (approx 700 farms)
– over 40000 birds (approx 250 farms)
records to include the flock number and location
Requested internal review on refusal by DAFM to release flock numbers and locations
Note: Anyone who owns or keeps poultry must by law register the site where the poultry is kept with the Department (Control on Places where Poultry are Kept Regulations 2014, S.I. 114 of 2014)
Site address, latitude and longitude
Herd numbers
Proposed / updated number of poultry on premises
Number of poultry houses on site
Does the flock have outdoor access?
Name and address of the person/business poultry was sourced from (only most recent source)
Quantity of each bird type in the flock
EPA prosecutes Western Brand Group Limited (P0831-01)
On 30th January 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency prosecuted Western Brand Group Limited (P0831-01) at Castlebar District Court,
The company pleaded guilty to 8 Charges:
Judge Keane, having heard the evidence, convicted the company on the above charges.
Judge Keane imposed fines of €8,000 (€1,000 per charge) and costs were also awarded.
EPA NO. P1167-01