A farmer in Wiltshire has been fined and ordered to pay costs after removing water sample bottles from an Environment Agency officer who was investigating a pollution incident.
Dyke, 34, admitted intentionally obstructing an officer in the exercise of his duties at Bath magistrates on 31 July 2024. He was fined £289 and ordered to pay £116 victim surcharge and costs of £3,699.
In a case brought by the Environment Agency, the court heard that an officer went to the farm in January after pollution was reported in the Rodden Brook.
After contesting the Environment Agency officer’s right to take water samples from suspected pollution, Dyke drove off with the samples in his tractor.
Following the court hearing, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “Dyke’s behaviour was totally unacceptable. The officer was carrying out his lawful duties to establish slurry pollution in the brook.
“We will not hesitate in pursuing anyone who tries to prevent our officers from carrying out work to protect the environment.”
We will not hesitate in pursuing anyone who tries to prevent our officers from carrying out work to protect the environment.
The Environment Agency said its officer noticed a tractor spreading slurry in the next field and could see that the water in the brook was a dark brown/green colour, with a foam on the surface with a potent odour.
He took photos and a water sample as well as an ammonia test which showed a result of around 10mg/l which was the maximum reading he could measure, the Agency said.
Dyke approached the officer and refused to say his name when asked. He later returned and disputed the officer’s authorisation to take a sample.
The Environment Agency said the officer showed his authorisation but Dyke said he would not allow samples to be taken off-site and picked up the ones that were lying on the ground before putting them in the tractor cab.
He refused to give them back, despite being asked several times, and drove away, the Agency said.
