An Environment Court judge has criticised Fonterra for putting productivity ahead of the environment and said its failure to lead by example is not helping the industry…. “Fonterra should be an industry leader, not a laggard, in regard to the adoption of appropriate technology to avoid environmental effects.”
The comments by Judge Jeff Smith are included in sentencing notes published on Tuesday in relation to offending by Fonterra between September last year and April.
The co-operative was fined $174,150 after pleading guilty to six charges related to its Edgecumbe plant near Whakatane, in a prosecution brought by Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Four convictions related to wastewater discharges from the plant entering waterways and groundwater through an irrigation system……
Fonterra managing director of global operations Robert Spurway said the co-operative was sorry….
Fish & Game chief executive Bryce Johnson said the ruling was a “wake-up call” for the co-operative….
“Fonterra’s failure to practice what it preaches when it comes to protecting the environment is deeply troubling.”
Full story: Published 5/08/15
Also see report published 3/08/15
Leave a Reply