Ballamoar Farm - farm waste entering Barnel stream

Summary

A request was made for details on investigations, cautions, and prosecutions regarding farm waste from Ballamoar Farm entering the Barnel Stream since 2010. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture disclosed the number of investigations but withheld information on cautions issued under Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.

Key Facts

• DEFA officers investigated 16 incidents of farm waste entering the Barnel Stream from Ballamoar Farm since 2010.
• Information regarding the number of cautions issued was withheld.
• The response was issued on 28 December 2017 following a request dated 6 December 2017.
• The authority cited Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 as the reason for partial exemption.
• The request specifically referenced potential prosecutions under the Islands Freshwater Fisheries Act or the Water Pollution Act.

Data Disclosed

• 16 incidents
• 2010
• 2017-12-06
• 2017-12-28
• Section 19
• IM112817I

Exemptions Cited

• Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (confirm or deny exemption)

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Page 1 of 2

 Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture

  Rheynn Chymmyltaght, Bee as Eirinys

28th December 2017

Dear

Request under the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (the Act) Ref: IM112817I – Farm waste entering Barnel Stream Thank you for your request dated 6th December 2017 and further to our letter of the 22nd December. You will notice that most of this letter is the same as that of the 22nd except the answer to question 3 and “Your right to request a review” You asked: Re: Ballamoar Farm Patrick.

Could you please forward me details of the number of times since 2010 that DEFA officers have had to investigate incidence of farm waste entering the Barnel Stream from Ballamoar farm? The number of times a caution has been issued with regard to farm effluent entering the stream? Has a successful prosecution been obtained over farm waste entering the stream under either the Islands Freshwater Fisheries Act or the Water Pollution Act.

Response to your Request:

1) The number of times since 2010 that DEFA officers have had to investigate incidence of farm waste entering the Barnel Stream from Ballamoar farm?

DEFA has records of 16 incidents being investigated since 2010.

2) The number of times a caution has been issued with regard to farm effluent entering the stream?

We do endeavour to provide information whenever possible. However, under section 19 of the Act, a public authority may refuse a request where to either confirm or deny whether it holds information would itself be absolutely exempt information or qualified exempt information under the Act.

Assistant Freedom of Information
Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road,
St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624)

Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im
www.gov.im Quoting Ref: IM112817I_2 Your Ref: