Distillers Cited for Environmental Violations

Scotland’s Environmental Protection Agency took action against Chivas Brothers and William Grant & Sons during 2022, according to the agency’s annual report. Both companies were reprimanded for spills from the Glen Keith and Glenfiddich distilleries, as first reported in the Herald Scotland.

The companies paid a total of £36,100 to SEPA and local environmental groups in lieu of fines in what the agency called “enforcement undertakings.”

William Grant & Sons reported to the agency that fermented liquid leaked at Glenfiddich distillery into the River Fiddich in January 2022, causing a 1.3 kilometers stretch of “river fungus” that harmed invertebrates. The company blamed the spill on cooling equipment caused by operator error, and agreed to donate £12,000 to the Spey Foundation and reimburse SEPA £2,500 for its costs.

Chivas Brothers made a similar pledge following a 2018 oil spill at Glen Keith that dumped 300 liters of oil along four kilometers of the River Isla. According to the Chivas undertaking, a storage tank overflowed while being filled, and an embankment designed to contain potential spills failed. Chivas repaired the embankment and reduced the working level of the oil storage tank. Chivas paid £12,000 toward environmental improvements by the Devon, Bogie, and Isla Rivers Trust, while agreeing to pay £9,600 toward SEPA’s costs.

The agency’s report indicated that Chivas completed its obligations in full, while inspectors will be sent to Glenfiddich to confirm that William Grant & Sons has complied with its obligations. The agency uses “enforcement undertakings” in cases where the environment has been harmed, but criminal charges are not justified.

Published June 27, 2023

Links: Scottish Environmental Protection Agency