Meat plant fined $57,000 for environmental offences

‘Stickwater’ refers to partially processed material from rendering.

On 26 March 2021, Environment Canterbury was alerted to the discharge from the Smithfield plant in Timaru.

The investigating team found discharge, later found to be trade waste and ‘stickwater’, running from the plant, down the cliff into the ring drain alongside Waitarakao/Washdyke Lagoon. From the ring drain, the outgoing tide carried the discharge via the outlet pipes into the coastal marine area.

Water samples collected during the incident showed high concentrations of ammonia, E. coli bacteria, organic compounds and nutrients.

Mitigations to stop the discharge were put in place and rūnanga (Council) partners and key stakeholders were informed of the event.

Judge JJM Hassan’s sentencing decision was released on 27 September, following Alliance’s guilty plea for its breach of the Resource Management Act (RMA) for the pollution event.

The sentence took into consideration the restorative justice process Alliance Smithfield participated in, which resulted in a $25,000 payment to Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua and a $25,000 payment to Te Aitarakihi Multicultural Centre, in addition to the sentence for the environment restoration projects.

An enforcement order has also been issued by the Court requiring Alliance Smithfield to complete upgrades to infrastructure at the plant by 31 January 2023 to reduce the risk of further discharges.

In his written reserved decision for sentencing, Judge Hassan said the offending caused serious harm to “an environment of high value and vulnerable sensitivity”.

“The value is in te mana o te wai [the health of our water] and the related cultural importance of Waitarakao Mātaitai to Mana whenua, important freshwater and coastal ecology including vulnerable īnanga and tuna (elvers), the popularity of the coastal walking track, and related cultural, and recreational associations for communities."

Southern zone lead Peter Burt says Environment Canterbury is pleased with the outcome of the prosecution.

"The court has clearly recognised the seriousness of this unauthorised discharge that flowed into a marine area at a site treasured by mana whenua, and important as a habitat for animals, plants and aquatic life.

"The event impacted marine life, mahinga kai [food gathering]… and the intrinsic cultural and recreational value of our water."

Environment Canterbury says it will closely monitor Alliance Smithfield’s resource consents and inspect the site regularly.