By: Cathy McNally

An Ottawa area farmer says animal rights activists have hassled him for years.

Over the past 25 years, Gib Drury has received five complaints from activists who "will do anything to get me to quit pasturing."

The most recent complaint was made to Environment Canada in June. Environment Canada officials came out to Drury’s farm for an inspection and found that his cows were in an open pasture located beside Meech Creek.

Drury rents the land from the National Capital Commission, which owns the property near Gatineau Park, Quebec, where the cows were found.

The Ottawa Citizen reported June 24 that Drury is violating the federal Fisheries Act by allowing cattle to pollute Meech Creek and could face a fine of up to $300,000. The article stated that Drury received a letter from Environment Canada, warning him that he has to remove his animals from the area or further action will be taken. Drury, on the other hand, told Farmers Forum that as of June 24 he hasn’t received a letter and that the cattle in the creek is a misunderstanding. He explained that a gate was accidentally left open and the cattle got out into the wrong field.

"The cows were on land that I don’t even rent," Drury said. "I’d like to think that gate was left open by accident, but who knows."

Drury said he is well aware of the law in which farmers cannot give cattle access to a watercourse.

"I have alternate water sources so I have no need for that creek," Drury said. "This has nothing to do with pollution and fish."

According to Drury, one local activist calls his farm a "Texas feedlot." He owns 200 cows pasturing on 640 acres of land.

In the past, several bales of Drury’s hay were set on fire. He said his next-door neighbour, who is also a fire marshall, spotted the fire and followed the snow tracks leading away from the fire to a known animal rights activist scurrying away on cross-country skis.

Drury didn’t press charges and said he isn’t worried about this most recent run-in.

"I did nothing wrong, so I’m not concerned," he said.