The authority investigated Luv-A-Duck, following a report from a resident to its pollution hotline.

Authority north-west manager Scott Pigdon said the inspection found the company was inappropriately burying industrial waste in small sand hills at one of its duck rearing sites.

“The industrial waste included metal, wire, plastic and dead ducks,” he said.

“The authority has issued the company with a notice that requires the practice to stop immediately and to remove the industrial waste from the illegal burial site.

“The burial of this material will be assessed in line with authority’s compliance and enforcement Policy.”

Dr Pigdon said on-farm waste management practices of the past were no longer acceptable. 

“The authority urges all landowners to be aware of their environmental obligations when it comes to the management of their waste streams,” he said.

“The management of farm waste streams needs to be in a manner that meets best practice and that is in line with the authority’s waste management on farms guidance.”

Luv-A-Duck chief executive Daryl Bussell said the company maintained high standards and processes to ensure its practices were compliant.

“We are working with the Environment Protection Authority to clean up a small area associated with one of our farms, where an incorrect procedure has led to a non-conformance,” he said.

Mr Bussell said he expected the situation would be rectified in the next few weeks.

Dr Pigdon said farmers could go to epa.vic.gov.au for more information on the correct disposal or management of any farm waste.