Laplante Poultry Farms has been fined CA$22,000 (US$16,242) for failing to comply with the conditions of two Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECAs).
The company, with a poultry processing facility in Monkland, Ontario, committed the alleged offenses between December 2020 and March 2023.
According to the Ontario Ministry for Environment, Conservation and Parks (ECP), Laplante’s facility is regulated by two ECAs for sewage and noise emissions.
Since the facility underwent expansion in 2015, the ministry has received numerous public complaints pertaining to night-time noise from trucks at the facility and steady generator noise. Further, the ministry has received numerous odor-related complaints in which the odor was typically described as a rotten meat or sewage smell. Neighbors have complained of being unable to be outside or leave windows open due to both the noise and odors, the ministry stated.
ECP stated that the facility has not complied with the conditions of the ECAs by failing to complete the following:
- Monitor and record the parameters of the biofilters for the wastewater treatment system;
- Fully implement noise control measures for the on-site generators;
- Submit an operation manual prepared by a qualified engineer for the on-site sewage works by the required deadline; and
- Perform emissions source testing on the biofilters by the required deadline.
The ministry’s Environmental Investigations and Enforcement Branch investigated and laid charges which resulted in the convictions.
In addition to paying the CA$22,000 fine, Laplante Poultry Farms must also pay a victim fine surcharge of CA$5,500. The company will be given six months to make the payments.
