The Rural Voice, 2001-10, Page 45sheltered area or to the point of
destination.
5. During extremely hot or cold
weather, seek shelter for the Toad
until the delay is over.
6. Seek the advice of a veterinarian in
the event of distressed or seriously
injured animals.
Adapted from: Procedures Bulletin,
Ontario Trucking Association as
printed in the Recommended Code of
Practice for the Care and Handling of
Farm Animals - Beef Cattle.
References:
Canadian Agri -Food Research
Council web site - www.carc-
crac.ca/english/codes_of_practice/ind
ex.htm
Canadian Agri -Food Research
Council. 2001. Recommended Code
of Practice for the Care and Handling
of Farm Animals, Transportation.0
Watch out for silo
gas this fall
By Farm Safety Association
The Farm Safety Association has
issued a warning about contact with
silo gases after an extremely dry
growing season.
This year's variable weather
conditions and drought in many areas
have contributed significantly to the
increase in possible gas formation.
Farmers across Ontario are very
concerned about the formation of
gases as they prepare to harvest and
ensile some of their crops earlier than
usual.
Silo gas or Nitrogen Dioxide can
cause a burning sensation in the nose.
throat and chest. Exposure to heavy
concentrations can cause almost
instantaneous death. When inhaled,
nitrogen dioxide dissolves in
moisture on the internal lung surfaces
to form nitric acid. This acid burns
the sensitive tissues. Even small
periodic doses of concentrated silo
gases may lead to chronic respiratory
problems including shortness of
breath, coughing and fluid in the
lungs.
If you have experienced such
symptoms after silo filling, you may
have had contact with the gases and
should be examined by a physician.
Let them know you may have
Advice
contacted nitrogen dioxide in the silo.
so that proper diagnosis and
treatment can be prescribed.
Silos where the gas is suspected
can only be entered safely using
confined space entry procedures
including a self-contained breathing
apparatus. These procedures are
available from the Farm Safety
Association office in Guelph. A
factsheet on silo gases is also
available. The Association can be
reached at 1-800-361-8855 or visit
the Association's web site at
www.farmsafety.ca. 0
Review of Provincial
Policy Statement
could impact farmers
By Carol Neumann, Rural
Planner, Agricultural
Land Use Unit
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs
and Housing (MMAH) recently
announced that it is reviewing the
Provincial Policy Statement (PPS).
This is an important undertaking for
those in the business of land use
planning. The decisions made during
this review will have a direct impact
on land use planning and
development in Ontario for the next
several years.
So why is the Provincial Policy
Statement so important? The PPS is a
document issued under the Planning
Act, which provides overall policy
direction on matters of provincial
interest related to land use planning.
The Planning Act requires that
decision -makers. such as
municipalities. and the Ontario
Municipal Board. "have regard" to
provincial policy.
The policies of the PPS are
divided into three sections. The first
section deals with development and
land use patterns. and provides
direction on community
development. housing and
infrastructure. The second section
deals with resources. and provides
direction regarding agricultural land.
mineral resources, natural heritage.
water, and cultural heritage. The
third section outlines policies related
to public health and safety, and
provides direction on natural and
human -made hazards.
The PPS is clearly an important
document with respect to land use
planning and development. For
example, in rural areas. the policies
of the PPS form the basis of
requirements for the protection of
agricultural land, limit severances.
and provide for policies such as
Minimum Distance Separation
Formulae.
Some of the questions the
province is hoping to answer during
the PPS review are:
• Do the principles in the PPS
embody the priorities you think the
province should have in land use
planning?
• Do the principles of the PPS
support the "Smart Growth"
objectives of promoting and
managing growth in ways that
sustain a strong economy. build
strong communities and promote a
healthy environment?
• Is the scope and detail of the PPS
appropriate?
• Are the policies being implemented
successfully at the municipal level?
Odds are you have some thoughts
on this document. The Ministry of
Municipal Affairs and Housing is
accepting written submissions from
the public until Friday October 12,
2001. Comments can be sent in by
mail, fax, or e-mail. For more
information. you can check the
MMAH web -site at
www.mah.gov.on.ca and look for the
link to PPS review. or you can
contact the local offices of MMAH at
1-800-265-4736 (London) or 1-800-
935-0696 (Toronto).
The PPS is an important policy
document. It serves as a blueprint for
development in our communities.
and provides policy direction on
agricultural land and land use
planning. Don't miss your
opportunity to provide your thoughts
and input.0
Don't let fire spoil
your harvest
By Farm Safety Association
This summer's dry weather has
led to concerns about the potential
OCTOBER 2001 41