The start of the trial against bauxite company UC Rusal for alleged environmental breaches in 2021 involving the discharge of effluent into the Rio Cobre in St Catherine could not proceed on Monday due to a procedural disagreement between the Crown and the defence.

When the matter came up in the St Catherine Parish Court on Tuesday, Acting Senior Parish Court Judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle expressed concern over the prolonged delay in the case.

"This is a 2021 case. It needs to be tried," Nelson-Gayle said.