The environmental protection unit is investigating a pollution incident in Sulby.
Milk and slurry from a farm has leaked into a water course off the Kella Road.
Retired Ayre MHK Eddie Teare said he had been contacted by former constituents about the polluted stream.
He said: ’I went down to take a look and the smell is absolutely appalling.’
.jpeg?width=209&height=140&crop=209:145,smart&quality=75)
A spokesman for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture confirmed that an investigation is ongoing and its focus is on Ballamanaugh Farm.
He said: ’DEFA is investigating a pollution incident from a farm in Sulby where farm effluent has leaked into a seasonal ditch. The effluent does include milk.
’The department can confirm that the source of the leak has now been stopped.
’Other water courses have been checked and there are no obvious signs of pollution, testing is underway to confirm this is the case and currently there are no concerns that wildlife or drinking water are at risk.
’The farm is operated by a private business and DEFA are not in control of the business.’
In a statement, Lezayre Parish Commissioners said: ’When the commissioners first became aware of a problem with potential pollution in a field ditch they contacted the environmental protection unit at DEFA to bring this matter to their attention.
’They continued to press for the matter to be investigated as a matter of urgency. We understand that the environmental protection unit has visited the area and an investigation has commenced to understand how this came about.’
Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, police investigations are continuing into allegations of animal cruelty at Ballamanaugh Farm.
DEFA took over the livestock management at the farm for a short period but it is now back under the control of the private operator.
The DEFA spokesman said: ’Due to an unrelated issue DEFA did take control of the livestock management at the farm for a handful of weeks in 2020.
’We cannot release further details due to the ongoing investigation.’
Police confirmed that allegations in relation to animal cruelty are being investigated.