The Rural Voice, 2019-06, Page 8National Farmers Union – Ontario NEWSLETTER
Strong Communities.
Sound Policies.
Sustainable Farms.
Phone: 1-888-832-9638
E-mail: office@nfuontario.ca
Website: www.nfuontario.ca
Calling on government to protect farm families from animal extremists
Any farmer who reads agricultural
news is aware of the increased
harassment and attacks on livestock
farmers by animal extremists, ranging
from trespassing on farms and
stealing animals to picketers at sale
barns beating on trucks and
attempting to release livestock. Even
more frustratingly, many of these
extremists have not faced legal
prosecution despite admitting to their
crimes.
While the NFU-O fully supports
people’s right to peaceful protests on
public property, the legal system is
failing farmers. In a recent letter to
the Attorney General, Premier,
Solicitor General, and Minister of
Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs,
the NFU-O raised the following
serious concerns.
We are worried about the safety of
our farmers and their families. Farms
are more than businesses; many farm
families, including children, live on
farms, and farmers feel threatened
and unsafe when strangers enter their
home property without consent. As
well, anyone who works with
livestock knows animals can be
unpredictable. Extremists who are not
used to handling livestock have the
potential for a serious incident if a
scared or aggressive animal is
released and injures either the farmer,
the trucker, or the extremist.
Additionally, these extremists are
intentionally putting themselves in
harm’s way when they step in front
of livestock trailers which need a
lengthy distance to brake.
Accidentally killing or injuring an
extremist would cause serious
trauma, not to mention legal issues,
for the person driving the livestock
trailer. We cannot wait until someone
is seriously injured or, worse, killed
for the government to address this
issue.
Many of these extremists have
admitted to the trespassing on private
property and stealing animals, yet
charges are being dropped or not
pursued. This is a failing of the legal
system. While we do not support
giving extremists a platform to
espouse their views, by not acting,
the government is tacitly supporting
their actions at the expense of the
agriculture community.
There has been much attention
paid recently to farmers’ mental
health. If this is something the
government supports, they need to
address the animal extremists and
allow farmers to run their lawful
businesses and feel safe in their
homes.
We are calling on the government
to enforce the existing laws and to
work with us and our fellow
agricultural leaders to address this
issue for all Ontarians.
What can you do?
To share your concerns with the
government, visit nfuontario.ca
where you can find a sample letter
that you can download and email or
mail to Queen’s Park.
Things to know:
• If you wish to prohibit all
activities on your property, use a “No
trespassing” sign. This does not
affect your ability to give permission
to individuals to enter or use your
land.
• A posted red circle on a white
background also indicates “no
trespassing.”
• Under subsection 3(1) of the
Ontario Trespass to Property Act,
Farmland does not have to be posted
– trespassing on cultivated fields and
fenced land is automatically illegal.
• If a convicted trespasser caused
damage the court can award
compensation to be paid by the
trespasser over and above the fine;
the court can also make the trespasser
pay the occupier’s court costs (an
award of costs).
If you encounter a trespasser on
your property, politely ask them
to leave. If you find that the situation
escalates, remove yourself from
the conversation and contact the
police.
Local 345 Durham Peterborough Victoria – Join us at Second Wedge Brewery (14 Victoria
St, Uxbridge) on Thursday, May 30 at 7:00 p.m. for a kickoff to the summer season. Local
members' first drink is on us. Family friendly and non-alcoholic options are available. For more
information, please contact Elizabeth at willowindfarm@ hotmail.com or 905-852-3878.
Local 330 Renfrew– Next meeting is Monday, June 3, 7:30 p.m. at the Barr Line Community
Centre. Everyone is welcome.
Local 333 North – invites Local members to our last meeting before we break for the summer!
We would love to tell you about what we have been doing over the past few months and
share/brainstorm some ideas about how to promote the NFU in your northern community! We
are meeting over the phone on Thursday June 6, 7:00 p.m. To participate, dial 1-800-808-0861;
participant code is 215408#, or email nfuo.north@gmail.com for more information.
Local 362 Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Ottawa, Prescott-Russell – Join your fellow
farmers on Thursday, June 13 as we celebrate a piece of agricultural heritage in Eastern
Ontario – the Embrun Co-op (926 Notre-Dame Street, Embrun). We'll start off with a tour of this
75-year-old institution followed by our regular meeting. Embrun Co-op offers products and
services through its eight divisions and is owned by its members who have chosen to join in
order to share in the benefits of co-operation. Tour starts at 7:00 p.m. Park by the main office.
Local 351 Brant, Hamilton, Halton – Join us for a Skill Share day June 29 from
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Manorun Farm (782 Highway 52, Copetown ON). The format is such
that you can drop in at any point during that time. For details, please contact Chris Krucker at
905-648-9608 or manorunfarm@gmail.com.
Coming Events
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