WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand farmers have dumped 16 million gallons of milk because of a natural gas leak that forced the closure of a major gas pipeline that powers milk processing plants.
Authorities shut the Maui pipeline in a remote area north of New Plymouth late Monday after discovering the leak.
Dairy company Fonterra says the pipeline's closure has forced several milk processing plants to close, leaving farmers with nowhere to bring their goods. It says farmers have dumped about $32 million worth of milk on their land.
Authorities say they expect the pipeline to be shut for several more days while repairs are completed.
Most of the dairy factories were able to reopen Wednesday after other gas supplies were diverted.