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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2003-12-17, Page 8I $-THE 1NMON ILXPO$;ITO , DECEMSER 17, 2003 News HCFA disappointed by change of first contact under Nutrient Management Act N Sara Campbell Expositor Skiff The Huron County Federation of Agriculture is upset by the Ontario Minister of Agriculture's decision to change who will act as an enforcement officers under the Nutrient Management Act. "It was disappointing to hear our new minister of agriculture say the following day he addressed 100s of farmers at the OFA convention that the government decided to change the role of first contact," said Neil Vincent, HCFA president. Steve Peters, Ontario minister of agriculture, recently announced that the Ministry of Environment will be the first contact when- environmental situations are reported instead of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF). "For years, we have worked with who ever is in government. We don't want to burn any bridges here but we can't support the MOE and not our agriculture minister," said Vincent. "We have been put in a difficult position." Vincent made the comments at an HCFA meeting on Dec. 9 in Vanastra, backing earlier statements made by the OFA and the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition (OFEC) . "OFA and its OFEC partners have been opposed to this approach from the beginning — wanting farmers to have an opportunity to correct environmental problems before having the full force of the law come down on them," stated Ron Bonnett, president of the OFA, in a press release. Prior to the government's change, OMAF was the first ministry of contact when environmental infractions were reported and efforts would be made to correct the environmental situation. If that approached failed, the MOE would be contacted to enforce the regulations of the Nutrient Management Act. "If the MOE comes back in and just starts pressing charges, it's going to set OMAF back 20 to 30 years," said HCFA director Bob Hallen. "The MOE has done a poor job in the past." In a press release from the OFEC it stated that "Recommendation 11 of the Walkerton Report says OMAF 'should continue to advise farmers about the protection of drinking water sources.'" "In our view, random farm inspections to check for compliance with the Nutrient Management Act regulations is best characterized as an advisory function," continued the press release from the OFEC. "Farmers need and deserve an opportunity to learn from the ministry responsible for agriculture just what the nutrient management legislation and its regulations expect of them before they face an investigation by the MOE." However, the HCFA also noted at their meeting that OMAF has a lack of human resources as the department has faced several cutbacks over the past few years. "We need to show OMAF and the OFA our support and that OMAF should continue to hold the position as first contact under the Nutrient Management Act," said Vincent. "I would like to see the farming community continue to do the best we can." Walter Stalenhoef, HCFA director, agreed with Vincent, adding he has been pleased with the government's involvement with the Nutrient Management Act until this point but he will continue to abide by the act. "I know that when I apply manure to my field that the smell is going to bother the neighbours but I'm thankful that I'm able to have a good yield because of it," said Stalenhoef. Sara Campbell photo A Christmas gift The purchase of trusses for the new Seaforth Cooperative Children's Centre is near completion thanks to the Seaforth Optimist Club. Tracy Lamont (left), a member of the fundraising committee for the SCCC, was handed a cheque for $1,000 from Nancy Denham, Optimist president, for six trusses. 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