News Release

For immediate release
November 12, 2003

RIVERVIEW POULTRY FINED $22,500 FOLLOWING WASTE DISCHARGE

CAYUGA - Riverview Poultry has been fined $22,500 - plus victim fine surcharge - after pleading guilty to two charges arising from a discharge of wastes from the sewage works at its slaughtering facility at 1560 Koehler Road in Haldimand County.

The Court heard that on December 5, 2001 wastewater pumped from a sewage lagoon on Riverview Poultry’s property flowed into a neighbouring farmer’s field. The Court further heard that the company failed to comply with a condition of the certificate of approval for the sewage works by failing to stop irrigating with treated wastewater when the overflow occurred.

The company was fined $16,000 under section 14(1) of the Environmental Protection Act for discharging a contaminant that may impair the natural environment. The company was also fined $6,500 under section 107(3) of the Ontario Water Resources Act for failing to comply with a condition of a certificate of approval.

Justice of the Peace Kerry Boon heard the case on October 24, 2003 in the Ontario Court of Justice in Cayuga.

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Contact:
Mark Rabbior
Communications Branch
Ministry of the Environment
(416) 314-6666