Meatworks Issued With Fine

JBS Australia’s Scone meatworks has been issued a fine by the Environmental Protection Agency for breaching emission odours.

The breach was made on January 21, with the fine of $8,000 being issued on February 29.

Muffett Street entrance to Scone meatworks

John Berry, director and head of corporate and regulatory at JBS Australia said since taking over the meatworks they had taken measures to improve environmental standards and was surprised by the complaint.

“There was a breakdown in rendering so we were managing the product manually, but we were surprised that odour was detected outside the plant, but once we were made aware we took all necessary steps to address the issue,” said Mr Berry.

“As a business we have expertise in successfully ensuring compliance and our Scone business will be no different,” he said.

“We have invested in a number of innovative environmental solutions across our business and since taking over the Scone operation early last year, we hope the community agrees our performance has been strong,” John Berry said.

The Environmental Protection Agency have not provided detail on how many people were impacted by the odour on January 21 or provided comment on why there are no odour breaches listed on their website for the previous owner Primo which had been embattled by community complaints.

UPDATE: The EPA have advised there where three complaints relating to the odour on January 21 at the meatworks.