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The Rural Voice, 1983-09, Page 41FARM Grant details Many farmers have been asking questions about the new Ontario Soil Conservation & Environmental Pro- tection Assistance Program which came into effect on April 1 of this year. This program provides grants for eligible projects in both soil ero- sion and manure storage. Although it covers the same type of work as the former Farm Productivity Incentive Program, it is somewhat different. Major details include: EROSION CONTROL: The purpose of the program is to control soil ero- sion problems on farmland, and only projects designed to control soil ero- sion will be eligible. Projects for the purpose of drainage are not eligible. Eligible projects are divided into 2 categories: Category One -items must be designed and the construction supervised by an engineer - the engineering fees are eligible costs for grant purposes. The Project Proposal with designs, sketches, etc. must be submitted and approved before work commences. Grant available: 50 per cent of the cost of an approved soil erosion project up to maximum of Agriculture Joins Agriculture Canada is joining with nine other federal departments in an effort to encourage more private sec- tor involvement in developing regulatory changes. "Regulations affect us all one way or another," explains John McGowan, Assistant Deputy Minister of Agriculture Canada's Food Production and Inspection Branch and chairman of the Depart- mental Committee on Regulatory Review in Ottawa. "It is important that the federal government invite more input from the private sector when preparing any new regulations." Beginning this year, Regulatory Agendas will be made available to the general public. "These agendas will give people advance notice of any new regula- tions, or proposed changes to existing regulations being studied by the federal government," Dr. McGowan says. "This will allow interested in- dividuals, businesses and organiza- tions to comment on proposed changes to regulations before a final ADVICE $7,500 per farm operation. MANURE STORAGES: The main purposes of the program are to con- serve valuable nutrients and reduce potential pollution (e.g. run-off) from manure storages and barnyards. The sole function of the manure storage area must be for the contain- ment of the solid and liquid fractions of manure in a defined and restricted area (i.e. no livestock access). To be eligible, a dry or solid manure storage system must be constructed to con- tain - (a) 150 days solid manure, and (b) for open storages - 200 days associate run-off from the storage area. Liquid and semi-solid storages must provide 200 days storage capaci- ty. If the storage is open, it must be surrounded by a suitable barrier or safety fence. Building permits and municipal approval must be obtain- ed. The Project Proposal showing sizes, depths, slopes, etc. must be submitted and approved before work commences. Grant available - 331/3 per cent of the cost of an approved manure storage project up to a max- imum of $5,000 per farm operation. Specific guidelines as to eligible pro- jects are available from your local OMAF offices. Regulatory Reform decision has been made by the government." According to Dr. McGowan, this will lead to improved consultations and better regulations. The Regulatory Agendas will be published twice a year, in May and November. Agriculture Canada is one of ten departments included in the agendas. "For those interested in regulations affecting only the agri-food sector, Agriculture Canada's section will be printed and made available separate- ly," Dr. McGowan says. For each proposed regulatory change, the department will list the problem being addressed, the possible actions, legal authority, current status and the name of an official who can answer questions relating to the change. The agendas will also report on policy reviews planned or underway, research related to possible regulatory changes and a schedule of regulatory reviews. Following a two-year trial period, the Regulatory Agendas will be evaluated for their usefulness. Don't go through Blyth without stopping at • Yvonne's for Homemade Hamburgers p7 L Milkshakes Ice Cream Cones Take -Out Dinners (Also tables inside) Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Mon. to Fri. 8:OOa.m.-9:OOp.m. on Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Sunday Yvonne's Take -Out At the Sunoco Station, in the centre of Blyth, east side of Highway 4. Head for Monkton and enjoy a home cooked meal and the friendly atmosphere at the Red *Maple Delicious Homebaked pies HOURS Mon. - Wed. 11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Thurs. • Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 12 midnight Sund.r. 12 noon - 9:00 p.m. Red Maple Dining Lounge Highway 23, Monkton, Ont. Licensed under L.L.B.O. 347.2974 THE RURAL VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1983 PG. 39