Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

A number of dead fish in the Rio Minho at Alley district in Clarendon on Monday. - Rasbert Turner

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has taken legal action against Clarendon Distillery for a recent fish kill in the Rio Minho.

It was revealed that following laboratory tests conducted on specimen of dead fish taken from the river, it was concluded the distillery breached Section 11 of the Wild Life Protection Act.

Reports from NEPA are that dunder was released into the river near the Alley Bridge by the sugar company.

Summons were served on the company on Monday for a court appearance next week in the May Pen Resident Magistrate's Court.

On Monday, NEPA personnel were called to the Clarendon community after hundreds of dead fish were observed floating in the murky Rio Minho water.

Residents told The Star they were distressed with the latest kill as the river was used by them as a source of food to feed their families.

It was revealed that despite several attempts to have dialogue with persons they believe should have an answer to their questions, they received no response.

Meanwhile, coordinator Oswald Chinkoo, NEPA Pollution Monitoring and Assessment Branch, said the aim is to make persons aware of their environmental responsibility.