October 6, 2008

Mushroom Farming Business Fined $90,000 and Ordered to Carry Out Restorative Work

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. -- Two British Columbia mushroom farming businesses have been convicted of committing several offences contrary to the Fisheries Act and sentenced to a total penalty of $90,000 as a result of a joint investigation carried out by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada.

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 for the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat.

The court ordered that the two companies pay a total amount of $75,000 to promote the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat within the Nathan Creek watershed including replanting the affected land to the satisfaction of a Fisheries and Oceans Canada habitat biologist. As well, monitoring of the planting success is to take place each spring for a period of three years to ensure 90 per cent survival of all planted material.