Fines over spraydrift

An agricultural spraying company has been fined for destroying a Bay of Plenty watermelon crop.

Environment Bay of Plenty prosecuted the spray contracting company, its director and the spray operator for breaches of the Bay of Plenty Air Plan.

It said the company was contracted to control weeds in a maize crop at Te Teko near Whakatane.

When it sprayed a weedkiller, spraydrift destroyed part of a watermelon crop nearby estimated to be worth $17,000.

Environment Court Judge Brian Dwyer fined the spray company $4500, the company's director $4500 and the spray operator $2000.

All three had pleaded guilty.