Further fine for Fernaig Farms

A south Waikato dairy farming company has been prosecuted for the second time in four years for unlawfully discharging dairy effluent into the environment.

The most recent case resulted in a conviction and a fine of $33,750 for Fernaig Farms (2006) Limited and arose from activities at their Lichfield property.

The fine was imposed in the Rotorua District Court last week by Judge CJ Thompson following a prosecution taken by Waikato Regional Council under the Resource Management Act.

The company owns a number of farms within the Waikato region, including four dairy farms. A prosecution in 2013 also resulted in convictions and a fine of $30,000 for effluent mismanagement on their Mangakino property.

“This has been very disappointing behaviour,” said the council’s investigations manager Patrick Lynch.

“It is relatively rare for someone to be prosecuted for a second time for doing environmental harm. Generally, people learn from the first experience and ensure it does not happen again. It is particularly disappointing to have a leading farming entity that owns a number of farms and should be setting an example of how to do things right,” Mr Lynch said.

“Another concerning aspect with this case was the obstructive behaviour aimed at the council staff who were tasked with inspecting the farm property. They were responding to a complaint that effluent was being poorly managed and were only doing their job.

“Certainly the people on the farm on this occasion made it a difficult and unpleasant experience, sufficiently that police were called to enable the inspection to be carried out.”

ENDS

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