How are the Rules Enforced?

The Council enforces rules, regulations and the conditions of resource consent where non-compliance is identified by:

· Follow-up visits for consultation with farmers - the objective being to discuss options for upgrading their systems and to agree time frames for improvement

· Issue abatement notice - require the recipient to cease unlawful activity or to carry out specified actions by a specified date, in order to comply with regional rules or resource consent conditions

· The serving of infringement notices, which carry an instant fine of $750

· Offenders may be prosecuted in the Court, with a maximum fine of $200,000

Photo: Regional Council Monitoring Officer, Loren Eagle carries out farm visits

In 2008-09:

· 198 abatement notices were issued for non-compliance on consented and non-consented systems

· 200 infringement notices were also issued for non-compliance on consented and non-consented systems

· There was an increase in enforcement action taken during this period

· One successful prosecution for illegally discharging untreated FDE was made. The fine was $67,000