Mushroom Farming Business Fined $90,000 and Ordered to Carry Out Restorative WorkNovember 26, 2008
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ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – As a result of an investigation carried out by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), with assistance from Environment Canada, a British Columbia mushroom farming business has been convicted of committing several offences contrary to the Fisheries Act and fined a total of $90,000.
On October 6, 2008, the Provincial Court of British Columbia (Abbotsford) ordered Avina Fresh Produce Ltd. to pay a fine of $5,000, while H.Q. Mushroom Farm Ltd. received a $10,000 fine in relation to the convictions. They were also ordered to pay the Receiver General of Canada $75,000 for the purpose of promoting the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat within the Nathan Creek watershed in British Columbia.
In sentencing, the court ruled that on or about March 24, 2006, Avina Fresh Mushrooms, Inc. and Avina Fresh Produce Ltd. permitted the deposit of mushroom farming waste into an unnamed tributary to Nathan Creek that is frequented by fish.
The court also ruled that between May 2005 and April 2007, Avina Fresh Mushrooms Inc. and H.Q. Mushroom Farm Ltd. carried out mushroom farming that caused harm and destruction of fish habitat in an unnamed tributary to Nathan Creek.
A further conviction stated that, between January and March of 2006, H.Q. Mushroom Farm Ltd. failed to comply with a condition of the Fisheries Act, to refrain from further depositing harmful substances such as mushroom growing waste and chemicals where these harmful substances may impact waters frequented by fish.
The $75,000 fine to promote the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat within the Nathan Creek watershed will go in part to replanting the affected land to the satisfaction of a Fisheries and Oceans habitat biologist. As well, monitoring of the planting success and survival is to take place each spring for three years.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is asking the general public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and Regulations. Anyone with information can call the toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336.
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For more information:
Hannah R. Mahoney
Communications Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Pacific Region
604-666-7120
NR-PR-08-028e
Date Modified: 2008-11-26
Top of PageImportant Notices
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ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – As a result of an investigation carried out by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), with assistance from Environment Canada, a British Columbia mushroom farming business has been convicted of committing several offences contrary to the Fisheries Act and fined a total of $90,000.
On October 6, 2008, the Provincial Court of British Columbia (Abbotsford) ordered Avina Fresh Produce Ltd. to pay a fine of $5,000, while H.Q. Mushroom Farm Ltd. received a $10,000 fine in relation to the convictions. They were also ordered to pay the Receiver General of Canada $75,000 for the purpose of promoting the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat within the Nathan Creek watershed in British Columbia.
In sentencing, the court ruled that on or about March 24, 2006, Avina Fresh Mushrooms, Inc. and Avina Fresh Produce Ltd. permitted the deposit of mushroom farming waste into an unnamed tributary to Nathan Creek that is frequented by fish.
The court also ruled that between May 2005 and April 2007, Avina Fresh Mushrooms Inc. and H.Q. Mushroom Farm Ltd. carried out mushroom farming that caused harm and destruction of fish habitat in an unnamed tributary to Nathan Creek.
A further conviction stated that, between January and March of 2006, H.Q. Mushroom Farm Ltd. failed to comply with a condition of the Fisheries Act, to refrain from further depositing harmful substances such as mushroom growing waste and chemicals where these harmful substances may impact waters frequented by fish.
The $75,000 fine to promote the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat within the Nathan Creek watershed will go in part to replanting the affected land to the satisfaction of a Fisheries and Oceans habitat biologist. As well, monitoring of the planting success and survival is to take place each spring for three years.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is asking the general public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and Regulations. Anyone with information can call the toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336.
- 30 -
For more information:
Hannah R. Mahoney
Communications Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Pacific Region
604-666-7120
NR-PR-08-028e
Date Modified: 2008-11-26
Top of PageImportant Notices
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