GREEN FIRM RED-FACED AFTER SPILL ON BEACH
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N environmentallyfriendly organic food company has apologised after hundreds of its products washed up on a Welsh beach.
Irish-based firm Bunalun Organic said a container of its rice cakes went overboard at sea during bad weather on December 8.
Packets of the rice cakes have been found on beaches including St Brides Bay and Freshwater Bay in Pembrokeshire.
Local authorities are now arranging to collect and store any cargo washed ashore.
In a statement, Bunalun Organic said it was working with local authorities to discuss the clean up operations on the beaches.
Kieran Dunne, managing director at Bunalun Organic, said: “As an organic company, we believe in promoting a healthy environment. As you may or may not be aware, one of our containers of Bunalun Organic rice cakes was lost at sea on December 8, due to bad weather conditions, along with a further 11 containers.
“Thankfully no persons were injured in the storm and the vessel arrived safely home. We were made aware yesterday morning by the local people in Pembrokeshire that our rice cakes from our container had washed up on to their beach. I would like to convey my thanks to each and every one of the persons involved in helping to commence with the clean-up and to thank them for responding so quickly.
“We are glad to inform you that we have been in touch with the local authority in Pembroke dock to discuss the clean-up of these beaches and to ensure the beaches are restored to their former glory.
“As a company based in Co.
Kerry in Ireland, we are also surrounded by some beautiful beaches and we are aware of the importance of promoting a safe and environmentally friendly place for local people and visitors.
“We are confident that this was a rare incident and all measures will be put in place to try and avoid anything of this nature from happening again.”
Local authorities including Pembrokeshire council, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Natural Resources Wales and Keep Wales Tidy are now monitoring the coastline between Newgale and Barafundle.
A council spokesman said: “The Council will arrange to collect and store any items of the cargo washed ashore on local beaches.
“Anyone finding items - if able to do so – is asked to place them above the strandline or place them by bins for collection.”