Petfood company fined $12,000 for raising stink

Bad smells have earned a Waihi petfood company a $12,000 fine.

Farms Meats 2000 has also been ordered to commission an independent review of its processes and take any steps necessary to stop unpleasant odours wafting beyond the boundary of its property in Dean Cres, Waihi.

Between November and March, 55 complaints were lodged with the Environment Waikato regional council about bad smells coming from the factory, which produces pet treats and chews from meat products.

The council said one complainant compared the smell to a decomposing animal, and neighbours described it as unbearable, disgusting and nauseating.

Environment Waikato laid charges against the company in the Waihi courthouse on March 27, alleging five breaches of air discharge laws.

Farm Meats 2000 pleaded guilty and was sentenced this week by Environment Court Judge Jeff Smith in Mt Maunganui.

Judge Smith said he took into account the company's early guilty plea and its financial position.

He convicted it on five counts of discharging contaminants.

Environment Waikato's resource manager, Chris McLay, said the court had supported the regional council's view that offences against the Resource Management Act were serious and should not be tolerated.

Farm Meats 2000 director Guy St John-Ives said he accepted the court's ruling.