Two Waikato farmers and two farming companies have been fined a total of $108,000 after unlawfully discharging dairy effluent.
Stella Farming Ltd, LTB Farms Ltd, Scott Blundell, and Michael Davison appeared in the Huntly District Court on December 1.
They appeared as part of three separate prosecutions by the Waikato Regional Council, charged with unlawful discharges of dairy effluent through improper use of irrigators.
Stella Farming Ltd faced an additional charge for failing to exclude stock from a waterway.
The breaches took place between March and August 2024 accross the wider Te Awamutu area
Stella Farming Ltd was fined $44,000, LTB Farms Ltd was fined $26,000, Blundell was fined $2000, and Davison was fined $36,000.
Blundell, an employee of LTB Farms, was also sentenced to 100 hours of community service.
“Effluent irrigation is a critical part of dairy farm management, but when it’s done incorrectly, it can cause negative impacts on waterways," Waikato regional compliance manager, Patrick Lynch, said.
"All farmers have a responsibility to ensure their systems are fit for purpose and operated correctly.
"Waikato Regional Council remains committed to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and protecting the region’s waterways and land from harmful discharges."
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