The Rural Voice, 2002-05, Page 62PERTH Burnell Kipfer, R.R. #1, Ph: F7
PCFA Office 519-229-6Sebringville 430NOK Fax1X0 519-229-6269 a-mail:519-271-3399 ax perch@ofa.on.ca 519-23-0789
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
Some facts about fuel storage
By Ron Bonnett, Vice -President,
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Farmers are experiencing
confusion and misinformation about
requirements for fuel storage and
equipment on their farms. Before
anyone undertakes expensive
renovations of their fuel storage area.
it is important that a clear
understanding of the rules and
regulations be gained.
From what we're hearing at the
Ontario Federation of Agriculture,
much of the misunderstanding is
coming from interpretations of the
rules and regulations by fuel
suppliers and drivers. Many of them
have recently undergone training and
been presented with the rules and
regulations as they now exist.
The difficulties begin with
interpretation. Farmers should not
panic when advised there will be no
more deliveries until certain
specifications are met for the on-farm
storage.
From what we are seeing at OFA,
and at the local federation level
around the province, some instructors
at these training sessions may have
been more intent on spreading fear
rather than sharing facts.
If your fuel dealer is refusing to
fill your above -ground tank, don't
panic. Check the facts. Some of these
facts are: tanks must be protected
Perth County Federation
of Parliament to discuss
The Perth County Federation of
Agriculture along with local
commodity .groups met with their
local Members of Parliament on
April 13.
Mr. Bert Johnson MPP for Perth -
Middlesex was in attendance and
Anna Louise Richardson represented
Mr. John Richardson at the meeting.
Several issues were discussed over
the four-hour meeting including
nutrient management, farm safety
nets, health care (or lack thereof),
58 THE RURAL VOICE
from vehicle traffic; the tank does not
have to be registered; the tank must
have a ULC certification sticker
attached; an underground tank cannot
be used as an above -ground tank.
As well, the dispensing equipment
(pump) must be at least 4.5 metres
from the opening of a building; small
diesel tanks under 2,500 litres, can be
placed right up against a building;
medium-sized diesel tanks between
2,500 litres and 50,000 litres must be
at least five feet from a building.
As an environmental safeguard,
tanks that don't require dikes must be
located where any spill contamination
won't pose a danger to a water source
— Environmental Farm Plan
worksheet number five offers
recommendations on proper site
preparation and location of
aboveground tanks.
The existing rules and regulations
are not new. Most were in effect
before 1997 when the authority for
the storage of petroleum products
was transferred from the ministry of
consumer and commercial relations
to the Technical Standards and Safety
Authority.
For those interested in reading the
regulations, they are contained in the
Liquid Fuels Handling Code,
available from the Technical
Standards and Safety Authority, 3300
Bloor Street West in Toronto — 1 -
Meets with Members
issues
education, hydro deregulation, taxes,
WTO and trade and road signage to
make motorists aware that slow
moving vehicles use roads.°
PERTH COUNTY FEDERATION
OF AGRICULTURE
PLEASE NOTE:
There will be NO
Directors' Meeting
in May
• The Rural Voice is provided to farmers
in Perth County by the PCFA.
877-682-8772.
As mentioned earlier, farmers
need to make themselves aware of the
rules and regulations before
responding to a delivery service that
says it is suspending delivery for
whatever reason. OFA's Member
Service Representatives across the
province have details of the current
rules. The Environmental Farm Plan
worksheet dealing with the topic is
available on the website of the
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs.
Some farmers, fearing the worst
after hearing from their fuel supplier,
have calculated it would cost millions
of dollars for all farmers to meet the
requirements as described by the fuel
supplier. OFA urges all farmers to
make themselves aware of the rules
before acting in panic.°
Farm safety lobbies
for road signage
At the PCFA meeting with members of
parliament on April 13, the Farm Safety
Association brought forward the issue of
road signage to make motorists aware that
Slow Moving Vehicles use the roads.
The Perth County Farm Safety
Association has been lobbying the local
County government to have these signs
erected on County roads near grain
elevators, farm implement dealerships and
roads heavily travelled by cottagers heading
out of cities. Although several surrounding
counties have these signs already in place,
it has been an uphill battle in Perth County
and to date have not gotten approval to
have these signs put up in the County.
Farm Safety at the meeting on April 13
requested that Mr. Johnson and his
colleagues in Provincial Parliament look at
the possibility of having these signs erected
on Provincial highways in the rural areas.
"We feel that this would improve
awareness and safety if they could be place
on provincial highways as well," stated the
bnef from the Farm Safety Association.°