An "alarmist approach" in an Otago Regional Council report on potential health effects from the Pukeuri meat plant's boilers has been criticised by plant owner Alliance Group.
The officers' report, on a resource consent application by Alliance, suggested discharges might cause adverse health effects and the boilers needed upgrading.
But Alliance's counsel, Kerry Smith, and former Pukeuri plant manager Danny Hailes said there was no evidence discharges had or would cause health issues.
Alliance would produce evidence at a two-day hearing, which started in Oamaru yesterday, to renew a resource consent for discharges and odours from the plant, showing there would be almost no adverse effects arising from the operation of the boilers.
Mr Smith said the Pukeuri plant had operated for 97 years and any adverse effects would have manifested by now.
"Nothing has emerged to cause concern," he said. "In fact all 591 submissions supported the renewal and Public Health South made a "favourable response".
"Had the effects been unacceptable, at least one submission in opposition may have been expected. The alarmist approach in the report has not been supported and is not reflected in the community," Mr Smith said.
The company is seeking to renew consent to discharge contamination to air, including its three coal-fired boilers, and odours from rendering, skin processing, composting, wastewater treatment and disposal and applications of biosolids to land.
The plant employs about 1000 workers at the peak of the season.
Each year it pays out more than $120 million in wages, livestock and transport and for local services.
The officers' report recommended the consent be granted for 35 years, but with a condition the boilers be upgraded by 2016 to reduce any adverse health effects.
Mr Hailes said community consultation revealed an absence of heath concerns or any general concerns about the boilers.
A bag filter system at Pukeuri would cost about $3 million to install and $70,000 to $80,000 a year to operate.
Alliance considered the benefits in further reduction of particulate matter were not justified by the costs. However, the technology used now may one day be superseded and Alliance would periodically review options for improved emission control, Mr Hailes said.
Air quality consultant Roger Cudmore said emissions from the boiler would cause no more than minor potential for adverse health effects on the surrounding community.
The officers' report of potential adverse health effects was not supported by his air quality measurements.
The hearing panel is being chaired by independent commissioner Kevin Rolfe, with councillors Gretchen Robertson and Sam Neill.
