On 26th March 2023, oil producers Perenco spilled 200 barrels of oily liquid into Poole Harbour, causing extensive pollution in a Site of special scientific interest (SSSI), and wildlife conservation area, endangering the health of wildlife, people and pets. A major incident was declared and was labelled an environmental disaster by conservation groups.

The spill was caused by a leaking pipe at Owers Bay, in Poole Harbour, a pipeline from the aging Wytch Farm Oil Production Site near Corfe Castle and Wareham which is owned and operated by Perenco since 2011. The facility is Western Europe's biggest onshore oil producer, and has been extracting since 1979.

Friends of the Earth East Dorset has been concerned for a very long time, “We have been arguing since 1984 that Wytch Farm oil should not be tapped, as the area is too important for nature. Instead, we should have invested in renewables - solar, wind, wave and tidal.  We should be investing in a clean future, not a dirty, outmoded fossil fuel technology from the past."

We must stop this from happening again, to protect sensitive and struggling local wildlife, and prevent further serious negative environmental and health impacts.

The fossil fuel industry is a major cause of global warming and pollution, after 44 years it is NOW time for Wytch Farm to shutdown.

We call upon the Environment Agency and regulatory authorities to revoke their permits and licence to operate.

If you want to join together with other caring and concerned citizens in Dorset please email de-net@hotmail.co.uk