An “unfortunate freak accident” involving a fan blade at a Perth-based meat processing plant was revealed to be the cause of a major greenhouse gas leak.
The release of F-Gases (fluorinated gases) at Anglo Beef Processors (ABP) at the start of 2021 is the second largest incident of its kind in Europe’s food and drink sector.
ABP initially said the release at the Inveralmond Industrial Estate facility occurred following “machine failure” and that a new refrigeration system was subsequently installed.
Environmental watchdog SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) launched an investigation and said the incident alone accounted for 87 per cent of the total hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) emissions from all industrial sectors in Scotland for 2021.
F-Gases are man-made and often used as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances in the likes of fridges and air conditioning units.
However, they have a much higher warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2) and make a greater contribution to climate change.
MP for Perth and North Perthshire Pete Wishart met with officials at the meat processors last week where they gave their explanation for the mass leak.
A pipe containing the highly polluting F-Gas was ruptured after the blade of a fan fell onto it.
Commenting, Mr Wishart said: “Notwithstanding the vast damage this caused, I was satisfied that ABP take seriously their environmental obligations and have acted to ensure that such an event is never repeated.
“This has included switching from F-Gas to a natural-based refrigerant with no carbon footprint, as well as fitting new fans with plastic blades instead of metal.
“I was also told that SEPA has yet to offer any recommendations to ABP as part of their investigation, despite the incident being reported to them immediately after it was detected.
“Regular and constructive dialogue between SEPA and industries is crucial in the race to Net-Zero, so I am now seeking clarity on when SEPA expect to complete their investigation and whether their findings will include recommendations for ABP to implement going forward.”
SEPA said it identified the accidental release of F-Gases at Anglo Beef Processors in February when the site submitted its Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory data returns for 2021.
The watchdog previously said its investigation into the release is “currently ongoing” and will “determine whether any enforcement action is required as a result of its findings”.
A spokesperson for SEPA said: “Every year, the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) provides a valuable picture of the amount of pollutants released in Scotland from SEPA-
regulated industrial sites.
“In February 2022 SEPA’s SPRI data identified a large release of F-gases from a meat producer, Anglo Beef Processors UK when the site submitted its Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) data returns for 2021.
“This resulted in a significant increase in this pollutant (around 112 per cent) compared to 2020.”
He said a SEPA team began an investigation into the cause, which was related to the site’s refrigeration system.
“This investigation is currently ongoing and SEPA will determine whether any enforcement action is required as a result of its findings.”
