Milk producer facing fine for non-compliance

A Manawatu¯ milk producer is facing the possibility of a hefty fine after failing to co-operate with Worksafe investigators.

In the Palmerston North District Court on Friday, Daniel Reuel Sproull was found guilty of two counts of failing to provide assistance to Worksafe inspectors at his businesses, Riverbend Organics, Gorge Fresh Organics and Sproull Farms, based in Aokautere.

He will be sentenced next month and is facing a fine of up to $10,000.

Sproull failed to assist with an inspection of his property on May 24 last year and skipped a summons to make a statement at Worksafe’s Palmerston North offices on June 17 last year.

Judge Jonathan Krebs heard from Worksafe prosecutors Rachael Woods and Angus Everett that Sproull had failed to help inspectors assess his property following a push from the organisation to ensure compliance of agricultural businesses after law changes the year before.

Sproull didn’t hire a lawyer, choosing to represent himself, but

Upon arrival Sproull was nowhere to be found and a vehicle blocked inspectors’ access to the milk shed, where they intended to conduct their inspection. Worksafe then summoned Sproull to its offices to make a statement regarding his absence at the inspection, but he failed to attend.

didn’t launch a defence at the trial. The court heard that inspector Simon Kuiti initially made contact with Sproull in November 2018 to organise a time for a compliance assessment of the property.

Sproull insisted Kuiti email a copy of his letter of appointment to prove his authority .

Kuiti initially declined to do so, informing him it was not necessary, and said he would instead show Sproull his Worksafe identification card when he visited the property, a requirement of an inspector when requested by an officer of a business.

Sproull would not proceed without the proof – and Kuiti was unwilling to budge.

Kuiti made an impromptu visit to Riverbend Organics on December 4, 2018.

Sproull reiterated his need to see proof of his authority. Unwilling to cause a fuss, Kuiti left.

Kuiti and his manger, Lynda West, eventually provided Sproull with the proof he required and organised to inspect the property on May 24 last year.

Upon arrival Sproull was nowhere to be found and a vehicle blocked their access to the milk shed, where they intended to conduct their inspection.

Worksafe then summoned Sproull to its offices to make a statement regarding his absence at the inspection, but he failed to attend that as well. Krebs found Sproull guilty of both charges.