Bay farmers fined for pollution

Three Bay of Plenty dairy farm operators who appeared in Tauranga District Court today have been fined almost $89,000 for illegally discharging effluent which flowed into a waterway.

Bayfield Farms Limited in Otamarakau Valley Rd, Te Puke was fined $35,000 plus $132.89 court costs and $113 solicitor's costs.

While Rotorua farmer and trustee Mark Stuart Dibley who admitted the illegal discharge of effluent from his family trust-owned Oturoa Rd farm was fined $32,500, plus $132.89 court costs and $113 solicitor fees.

The third defendant Noema Archie Watene, who operates a dairy farm in Ruatoki Valley Rd near Whakatane, was fined $21,440 plus $132.89 court costs and $113 solicitor fees.

Judge Jeff Smith ordered 90 per cent of fines to be paid to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, which brought the prosecutions against the three offenders.