The Rural Voice, 2019-06, Page 71Email: perthcountyfedofag@gmail.com Website: www.perthcountyfarmers.ca
Agnes Denham, Secretary: 519-229-8866 or 1-866-829-8866
Tim Halliday, President: thalliday33@gmail.com or 519-291-3374
Perth County Federation of Agriculture
JUNE 2019 67
* The Rural Voice is provided to OFA Members in Perth County by the PCFA.
There has been an increase in the
frequency of activism against farming
and livestock transporters in recent
months. Sadly, a recent farm invasion
case was dropped by the prosecutors
before going to trial. This will
embolden such further acts and may
increase the level of aggression. This is
unacceptable and must be addressed
immediately.
To press the seriousness of this issue
we are urging all Ontario farmers to
join our letter campaign to draw
attention to the urgent need for action
to counter the aggressive animal
activism we see developing.
This is a serious farm problem
affecting all Ontario farmers. It is
important for the provincial
government to hear a loud farm voice
through action. We would like all
Ontario farmers to engage by sending
the letter below (or their own version of
it) to the Attorney General and others.
Hon. Caroline Mulroney
Ministry of the Attorney General
11th Floor
720 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M7A 2S9
Dear Ms. Mulroney:
As an Ontario farmer, I am
very concerned about the well-being
of my family and business because of
an increase in the harassment of
farmers and livestock transporters
by activists. Certain groups are
disrupting our livelihoods and invading
our farms and yet the legal system
is offering little protection.
Peaceful protest on public property
has escalated to trespassing, break-ins,
animal theft, and invasion of farms by
large groups of protesters. Activists are
even stepping in front of moving
transport trucks and physically
harassing livestock truckers.
Police seem reluctant to lay charges.
The Crown has withdrawn charges
before trial. Farmers and their
employees are frightened and
frustrated. Attacks on livestock farms
and processing plants that go
unchallenged open the door to more on-
farm attacks and disruption at food
suppliers.
As a farmer, I struggle to understand
how activists can enter buildings
illegally, even remove animals, without
fear of prosecution. I am worried that
this disregard for the law will escalate
to the point of serious harm to farmers.
My farm business is also the home of
my family. I need to know the legal
system will protect us from the risk of
invasion.
I am writing to you today on behalf
of farmers, our families and agricultural
workers across Ontario to ask for
stronger action against activists. I’m
asking you to work together with
fellow MPPs and agricultural leaders to
find a better way forward to ensure
stronger enforcement of existing laws –
or new legislation – to ensure the safety
of Ontario’s farm families and
employees.
Sincerely,
cc:
Hon. Doug Ford,
Premier’s Office
Room 281
Legislative Building, Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A1
Hon. Sylvia Jones,
Solicitor General
George Drew Building
18th Floor
25 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, ON M7A 1Y6
Hon. Ernie Hardeman
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and
Rural Affairs
11th Floor
77 Grenville Street
Toronto, ON M5S 1B3
Farmers encouraged to send letter to attorney general
PCFA celebrates
75 years!
2019 is Perth County Federation of
Agriculture’s 75th Anniversary.
Watch this page for some interesting
“Did You Know” facts from the past
75 years.
Mark your calendar for
Saturday, November 16, 2019
as we will be celebrating this landmark
occasion at this year’s
Perth County Harvest Gala.
PCFA DIRECTORS MEETING
Thursday, June 20
Contact office for time and location
PCFA INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR
CONTINUING EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS
• Up to 2 (two) – $1,000 scholarships
• Youth continuing their education in Agriculture or/and Agricultural-related field
• Entering their second, third or fourth year of college or university
• Home address when not attending school must be in Perth County
• Must be able to show a connection to an OFA farm member.
To request an application please contact PCFA at
perthcountyfedofag@gmail.com
Call 519-229-8866 or download form from website:
perthcountyfarmers.ca/PCFAScholarship.pdf
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 30, 2019
Presentations will be made at the Perth Harvest Gala on
Saturday, November 16, 2019