The Rural Voice, 2001-07, Page 54IFF RTH Burnell Kipfer, R.R. , bPF7
PCFA Office 519-229-6430SeringvilleNOK Fax1X0 519-229-6269 h519-271-3399 a -mail: ax perch@ofa.on.c519-23-0789 a
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
• The Rural Voice is provided to farmers
in Perth County by the PCFA.
Perth Federation of Agriculture reacts to Nutrient Management Act
The introduction on June 13 of the
Nutrient Management Act into the
Ontario Legislature is seen as a
positive first step by Perth County
Federation of Agriculture.
"We were looking for leadership
from the province on this issue. now
we need all stakeholders to be part of
developing the specific regulations."
says PCFA Vice President Tim
Shute. of the Blanshard Ward.
The Perth Federation of
Agriculture made two presentations
to the consultation process that has
gone into the development of this
legislation. It will be the specific
regulations of the Act, that will be
developed over the next few months,
that the local Federation will be
involved with next.
One aspect of the Legislation calls
for the establishment of local
advisory boards to mediate any
disputes regarding nutrient
management. This was started in
Perth County and has been copied in
some form by other jurisdictions.
Other aspects of the legislation
include a phased -in approach to
meeting the regulations for farming
operations based on size and the
commodity produced and the
inclusion of all forms of nutrients —
PERTH COUNTY
FEDERATION
OF AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS'
MEETING
Thursday,
July 26, 2001
Downie Mutual Insurance Office
Sebringville 8:00 p.m.
EVERYONE WELCOME
50 THE RURAL VOICE
411111111/
everything from animal waste to
municipally -produced sludge.
Hon. Brian Coburn. OMAFRA
Minister. in presenting the legislation
said. "We're proposing preventive
measures to address the effects of
agricultural operations and municipal
activities and the safe and effective
management of land -applied
materials containing nutrients. Clear
requirements based on the work
developed with farmers — and the
best practices many farmers already
use — will ensure sustainable
growth, safeguard the environment
and make rural Ontario attractive to
economic investment."
"We will be watching the
development of the regulations
carefully," added Shute. Especially as
they pertain to upgrades of facilities
and practises. As was stated in one of
the Federations' consultation
presentations - "all of society has a
part to play in either enhancing our
environment. or ruining it ... since it
is a societal issue, then all of society
needs to be part of the solution and
the government of this province
needs to commit the necessary dollars
for improvements. it cannot all be on
the backs of farmers."0
The Farm Helpline
If you are facing a financial crisis,
you can contact The Farmline for
assistance. The Farmline is a
project of the Ontario Farm
Women's Network and is currently
funded by Agriculture and AgriFood
Canada, OMAFRA, Ontario Trillium
Foundation and the Canadian
Agriculture Council. They may be
reached at 1-888-451-2903 or at
thefarmline@thefarmline.ca0
West Nile Virus
What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile virus is a virus spread by mosquitoes that may, in a very small
number of cases, cause encephalitis which is swelling of the brain. Birds and
horses may also become infected with the virus. The chance of getting the
disease and becoming ill from West Nile virus is very small.
Mosquitoes breed in standing water
You can help reduce the breeding areas for mosquitoes around your farm by:
1. Recycling/throwing away unwanted containers.
2. Removing and recycling old tires or storing them in the barn.
3. Draining water once per week from flower pots, window boxes, planters and
swimming pool covers.
4. Making sure your eavestroughs drain properly.
5. Changing the water in birdbaths weekly.
6. Drilling holes in the bottom of recycling and trash containers and children's
tire swings.
7. Removing and recycling plastic containers and paint cans.
8. Turning over the wheelbarrows, canoes and plastic wading pools to drain the
water.
9. Draining water from feed troughs weekly.
Report dead crows and blue jays
Testing dead crows and blue jays is a good way of monitoring for the
presence of West Nile virus in an area because the virus kills these birds more
easily. If you find a dead crow or blue jay on your farm, call the Health Unit at
the numbers below. A staff member will ask you where you found the bird and if
it was acting strangely before it died. A Health Unit representative may come
and pick up to send it for testing.
For more information on mosquito control, West Nile virus and dead bird
collection, visit www.pdhu.on.ca or call Health Line at 519-271-7600, ext. 267 or
toll free 1-877-271-7348. Perth County residents call 519-271-7600.0