Fri 26 Jun 09
Contaminating the Opui Lagoon with dairyshed effluent led to a fine of $28,500 for an Opiki dairy farmer in the Palmerston North District Court today.

Gilmor Roy Funnell had pleaded guilty to two charges, laid under the Resource Management Act, relating to significant levels of pollution at the Lagoon during May 2008.

The charges followed Horizons Regional Council’s routine compliance inspections of two dairy farms located along Popular Road, Opiki. The inspections revealed various issues with how Mr Funnell operated his farms’ effluent disposal systems.

Environmental Protection Officer, Rebecca Fryett, said evidence pointed to discharges into the Lagoon occurring for a period of 64 days, but it was not certain whether it was continual over this time.

Horizons Chief Executive Michael McCartney said this case, along with other recent cases taken by Horizons in relation to dairy effluent discharges is a success, but is a disappointing one.

“When these sorts of cases get to court, it means someone has been negligent and the environment has suffered because of it. We are disappointed that we are in court yet again, as it distracts us from celebrating our environmental gains.

“The judge in this case made it clear that the offender’s priority was for milking cows and not with ensuring his effluent system was working sufficiently.
Fortunately, this attitude is not typical of all dairy farmers. But it must be said that those who don’t treat their managing the environment responsibilities with seriousness, may well see themselves in a similar position.”

Horizons was awarded $3,190 in costs.

To read the original article online, click here.