Support the sustainable organic raw milk farmers burdened by a hefty court fine

Susan and Cedric of Alt Energy Farm are certified, organic farmers who care deeply for the environment and their animals. Despite doing the right thing by the environment, the animals, and the individuals making their own informed choice, they have been fined $50,000 by the court for not registering under a government raw milk trading scheme. Registering for the scheme would have made it unviable to continue providing what their loyal customer base wanted and needed. The farmers took legal advice and believed they were not in breach of the law. They were audited by MPI for their organic status and their Risk Management Programme. The decision to plead guilty was taken as to do otherwise would have meant prohibitive legal costs and the threat of more serious punishment.

Susan and Cedric are pensioners. They have now sold most of their animals to keep going and are supporting their sons on their remaining farm. The size of the fine means they will be managing this debt burden for some time. They do not believe they deserve to be punished by such a large fine. Indeed, the court made it clear that the fine is a deterrent for others, despite the initial raid on the farm, the loss of financial capability, and the legal bills all being deterrent enough.

The treatment of farmers such as Susan and Cedric has the effect of reducing consumer choice and impacts the viability of smaller-scale farms, the heart of a sustainable future for New Zealand.