Farmers are being reminded about the rules over burn-offs after a Waikato man was prosecuted for burning tyres.
The Hamilton man was convicted for breaching a national environmental standard and fined $8100 for burning approximately 30 tyres at his family's Newstead property.
The sentence was imposed by Judge Melanie Harland in the Hamilton District Court after the man pleaded guilty to the single charge filed by Waikato Regional Council.
The prosecution followed a complaint by a member of the public about black smoke coming from the fire.
The man had unearthed the tyres and decided to burn them along with felled trees and other debris while cleaning up the property.
Investigations manager for the council Patrick Lynch said burning tyres is one of the few pollution activities that is prohibited nationally.
"The discharge to air and land that comes from burning tyres is incredibly toxic," he said.
"We want to remind the public that if they need to dispose of tyres, please do so in a lawful and environmentally considerate way."
Newshub.
