Waikato Farmers Fined $108,000 for Dairy Effluent Violations
Two farmers and two farming companies in the Waikato region have been convicted and fined a total of $108,000 for environmental violations related to dairy effluent management. The convictions were a result of three separate prosecutions undertaken by the Waikato Regional Council under the Resource Management Act (RMA).
Stella Farming Ltd, LTB Farms Ltd, Scott Blundell, and Michael Davidson faced charges for improper use of irrigators leading to unlawful discharges of dairy effluent. Judge Jeff Smith, presiding in the Huntly District Court, imposed fines of $44,000 on Stella Farming Ltd, $26,000 on LTB Farms Ltd, $2,000 on Scott Blundell, and $36,000 on Michael Davidson on December 1.
Additionally, Scott Blundell, an employee of LTB Farms, received a sentence of 100 hours of community service. Stella Farming Ltd also faced an extra charge for not excluding livestock from a waterway, further contributing to their penalties. The violations occurred between March and August 2024 in the Te Awamutu area.
Patrick Lynch, Waikato Regional Compliance Manager, emphasized the importance of proper effluent irrigation practices, stating, "All farmers have a responsibility to ensure their systems are fit for purpose and operated correctly." The Council remains dedicated to enforcing compliance with environmental regulations and safeguarding the region's waterways and land from harmful discharges.
