Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Farmers fined for pollution


30 January 2020

In three separate cases taken by Waikato Regional Council, four farming entities have been convicted and fined a total of $159,674 for unlawfully discharging farm animal effluent into the environment.

The prosecutions all related to pollution events between August and November 2018 and were sentenced by District Court Judge Melanie Harland in December.

One case was as a result of a notification from a member of public and the other two from proactive monitoring by council staff.

“We are urging all farmers to have adequate effluent management infrastructure on their farm that can cope with various weather patterns and the capacity to allow farmers to get on with other on-farm commitments,” said council investigations manager Patrick Lynch.

“Unfortunately, these three farms have had significant and avoidable unlawful discharges of effluent into the environment. Good infrastructure and vigilant day to day management can prevent this,” Mr Lynch said.

The convicted parties, the location of their farms, and fines imposed are as follows:

Nigel George Rowan, of Hamilton, fined $61,837.
Christopher John Howard Empson, and his company Meadowbank Farm Ltd, of Te Awamutu, fined $14,250 and $60,750 respectively.
David Bruce Fullerton, of Ngāhinapouri, fined $22,837.

Reports of environmental pollution can be made to the regional council by calling the 24-hour freephone 0800 800 401.

ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.