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Copyright © 2001 Eastern Ontario Farmers Forum Inc. All Rights Reserved |
Money
for Bill 81 KEMPTVILLE — "Funding will become available when
the time comes," the minister of the environment, Chris Stockwell,
told farmers at a hearing on the forthcoming nutrient management
regulations. "We have had a terrible tragedy (Walkerton), and these
things you need to deal with, so people don’t die," he said..
"So we will assist (farmers). Yes." Government officials are already working on a plan, he
said . But he would not disclose any amounts or what would be covered. "I know why the agricultural community is leery of
us (Ministry of Environment)," he said. "But I must ensure there
is clean water in the province," adding that if a farmer broke the
regulations, and didn’t conform he would be prosecuted. "I have to
do my job," he told the audience. Four of the 12 briefs asked that the ministry of
agriculture take the lead on the whole package of nutrient management.
Stockwell responded that the Ministry of Environment (MOE) would be in
charge of enforcement and prosecution. He stressed that the MOE and the ministry of agriculture would share
responsibilities
Minister says there is money
for nutrient management changes
Many at the meeting were critical of MOE enforcement. A group protesting a hog barn in Sarsfield said MOE’s "track record was abominable."
There was some good news. The Ontario Government won’t allow municipal by-laws to supercede the provincial Bill 81, the Nutrient Management law. The law would be universal so no municipality could benefit from another, attracting industry by lowering the standards and putting residents in another locale in danger.
Many farmers in the audience were in accord with the minister, but saw a different end result.
Bruce Hudson, of Kinburn, in the city of Ottawa, said the act must supercede municipal bylaws or farm competitiveness will shrink to appease society.
Hallville Dairy farmer Mike Hall said: "We do not want different legislation. We want standard legislation."
Bill 81 was sprouting "a lot of backyard businesses. Who pays?" he asked rhetorically.