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OPEN COUNTRY Dairy Ltd has been fined more than $35,000 for discharging objectionable odour from its Waharoa factory at the time of last year's "spring flush" when milk supply was high.
Residents from the Waharoa community, near Matamata, complained to Waikato Regional Council that the odour was causing physical effects such as nausea, vomiting, and an inability to sleep.
The council received 45 complaints from local residents over 16 days in October and November last year.
The company told council investigators the odour was a result of infrastructure failures at the factory that saw larger than normal volumes of waste end up in the waste water treatment pond. The pond struggled to cope and the odour developed, with the situation taking some time to recover.
In a recent sentence released from the Hamilton District Court, Judge Melanie Harland commented that the effect on residents of the odour was "profound and continuous".
Yoghurt Story New Zealand Ltd and Frozen Yoghurt Ltd have been sentenced and fined in the Auckland District Court for misleading the public about the nature and characteristics of their frozen yoghurt products.
A Kumeu strawberry grower has been penalised $6000 after being caught a second time by a Labour Inspector.
A Canterbury dairy farm has been penalised for employment law breaches in what the Labour Inspectorate says "not uncommon" mistake in holiday entitlements.
A farm manager has been awarded reparations of $50,000 after a 2012 quad bike crash at work.
New Zealand's second largest dairy company is reporting increased activity from the market following the August 19 GlobalDairyTrade (GDT) auction.
Farmer-led charity, Meat the Need is calling for donations to enable it to supply more meals to families in need.
Weaker pricing and demand from China continue to impact New Zealand red meat export earnings.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait is showing no sign of bouncing back from its financial doldrums.
OPINION: It seems every bugger in this country can get an award these days.
