Environmental Protection Act charges have been dropped against All Treat Farms Ltd., of Arthur.
Last June, the company was charged by the Ministry of the Environment with two offences under the Environmental Protection Act.
The composting facility is located near the intersection of Highway 6 and County Road 109, at the southern edge of Arthur.
Charges related to odours and particulate being discharged from its composting facility between June 25 to Aug. 8, in 2008.
About 100 complaints had been lodged concerning the large compost facility since 2007.
The charges were withdrawn during a pre-trial meeting in Guelph recently by a Crown counsel from the Ministry of the Attorney General’s office.
Statements made to other media suggested there was no reasonable prospect of conviction.
A press release issued by All Treat Farms stated, “All Treat Farms Limited has been an environmentally responsible business since 1955, processing organic materials such as yard trimmings into soil additives and soils which are then sold by major retailers across Canada.”
It added, “George White, Lynda White, and the 109 employees of All Treat Farms Limited, are grateful that the charges placed by the Investigations and Enforcement Branch (IEB) of the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) have been discontinued.
“Management and staff are committed to remain diligent in working closely with the village of Arthur residents and the Ministry of Environment in all aspects. All Treat Farms Limited will do everything in their power to ensure that they continue to be a dependable employer, supporter of the Arthur community, and a good corporate citizen.”
In October 2007, after discussions with the Guelph District Office of the Ministry of Environment concerning odour complaints from local residents, a committee was formed involving All Treat Farms, the Wellington North Township and the Guelph district office of the Ministry of the Environment. It also had 18 members of the community.
The intent of the process was to create an odour action plan that minimized odour emissions.
During a telephone interview on Tuesday morning, All Treat vice-president Lynda White said the company’s plans are to continue working with the MOE?and the residents.
