Selwyn cattle farmer prosecuted for practices which can be “hugely damaging”, said ECan Delivery Lead

Farmer convicted of offences for allowing cattle near drains. Source: Unsplash. 

In May, the farmer was convicted of two offences, under the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan Act, and the Resource Management act, for allowing approximately 60 cattle “unrestricted access to drains” and discharging harmful contaminants, said Environment Canterbury (ECan).  

With the prosecution resulting in 55 hours of community service and the defendant having to front court costs, ECan Zone Delivery Lead – Banks Peninsula and Selwyn Waihora Zone Gillian Jenkins said the breaches were rare.  

“This type of repeat offending is rare, most farms want to comply with the rules because they value protecting our waterways and the environment too. Usually, when a problem is pointed out farmers will resolve the issue before it gets [put] before the courts,” she said.  

According to ECan, the breaches were discovered on a visit to the property, after previously issuing 11 warnings and three abatement notices.  

“It’s frustrating when they see others that aren’t following the rules to protect our environment,” Jenkins said.  

While Jenkins said there had been no similar prosecutions in the last 10 years in the Selwyn area, she told Canta it is important that breaches of this nature are identified and reported.  

“The majority of the rural community are putting in a lot of time and money into minimising their impact on the environment. Like the rest of the community they want to see the few people or businesses letting the side down held to account, and for polluting practices to stop.  

According to Jenkins, nitrates and sediment are the main areas of harm in cases like this one.  

“When sediment flows into our rivers and creeks, it smothers the habitat and egg-laying sites of fish. This sediment layer can destroy food sources for the native aquatic creatures that live there such as freshwater fish, tuna/eels, koura and mussels.”  

“Nitrates are also a problem, when excess nitrogen leaches from land into waterways, it aids the growth of algae and other organisms that lower water quality. This can create a toxic environment for other living things.”  

The waterways on the property which the farmer was prosecuted for drain into the Ararira/LII and Selwyn rivers, both flowing into Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, “a water body that is already suffering from high levels of nutrients,” Jenkins said.  

Jenkins said ECan receive around 5,000 calls per year, from the public reporting incidents that could harm the environment.  

“Our phone line is 24-hours, and all calls are looked into to find out about any environmental impacts,” she said. 

“We can’t respond to incidents we don’t know about, if you see a pollution event call is on 0800 765 588 or use the Snap Send Solve app.”