The Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry announced today that two farmers from West Prince have been charged under the Prince Edward Island Environmental Protection Act.

Warren Ellis of Mount Royal has been charged with four counts under the Environmental Protection Act, Water Course and Wetlands Protection Regulations. Avard Smallman of Knutsford has been charged with one count under the same act.

The charges stem from evidence collected during the investigation conducted into the fish kill incidents discovered in late July in the Trout River, the Big Pierre Jacques River and the Mill River. The charges are related to the cultivation of a row crop contrary to the regulations.

The department is conducting a joint investigation with Environment Canada who announced its decision last week to launch three investigations after finding traces of pesticides in the rivers where the fish kills occurred.