March 6, 2023

Major Northern Ireland, UK pig producer charged for avoiding paying for water

One of the largest pig producers Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, has been charged with dodging paying for water by diverting a domestic supply to one of its factories.

JMW Farms Ltd is accused of using a household water pipe to service one of its sites outside Killylea in Co Armagh.

The multi-million-pound cross-border pork firm faces a total of seven charges all dated in May last year. It's accused of interfering with a water supply pipe to service a commercial premises on Kennedies Road.

Another charge alleges that it obtained services by a dishonest act by evading connections charges and payment for a water supply. The firm is also accused of using water supplied by NI Water to the same address for a domestic supply to service a commercial premises.

It is further accused of attaching a pipe or apparatus to a main water pipe owned by NI Water and of misusing or unduly consuming water at the address.

The case against the company is due to be mentioned at Armagh Departmental Magistrates Court.

JMW Farms is one of the most successful pig producers in Northern Ireland, with operations in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. Last November the company was named "Pig Producer of the Year" at the National Pig Awards at a ceremony in London.

- Belfast Telegraph