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The Citizen, 2003-02-26, Page 17THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2003. PAGE 17. Expert says farmers need support for Bill By Marion Duke Lis tow el Banner Bill 81, Ontario’s nutrient management legislation, is causing big headaches for farmers and politicians alike. But no matter what farmers and municipalities might think of it, according to one of the agricultural experts who has been in on discussions from the beginning, all parties had better get used to it, because it isn’t going to go away. The guest speaker for the annual meeting of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, held at the Authority’s headquarters on Feb. 19, Dr. John Fitzgibbon of the University of Guelph said, “The province has gone for a high standard... and it isn’t going to back off.” Dr. Fitzgibbon countered the argument being made by a number of farmers that in the enforcement of nutrient management regulations they will be seen as being guilty until proven innocent. This isn’t the case, he said. “Farmers are protected by all the same laws that protect everyone. There are no civil rights being violated by this legislation.” FUNDAMENTALS From the beginning of negotiations with the province on nutrient management, according to Dr. Fitzgibbon, discussion centred on some fundamental questions: • Is it practical ? • Is it affordable? • Is there a shared benefit? Does the individual benefit as well as the public? Is it good for agriculture as well as for the environment? • Is it environmentally sustainable? Dr. Fitzgibbon described meetings Lobb returned as MVCA chair By Marion Duke Listowel Banner Alison Lobb of the Municipality of Centra] Huron was returned as the chairperson of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority at the annual meeting of the organization held at its headquarters on Feb. 19. Lobb defeated Ken Pike, representative for the Town of Minto, Twp. of Mapleton and Wellington North. Pike said he has been a board member of the Authority for nine years and spent four years as vice­ chairman and before leaving the Authority chairman. would like to be Lobb,who has served as chairperson for two years, said she would like one more year in the position to see a number of projects completed. The scrutineer for the election was Brian Wretham of Listowel, chairman of the Maitland Watershed Partnerships Water Team. Unopposed for the position of vice-chairman was Pat King of the Town of Goderich, who was returned to office. Mr. King advised the board that next year he intends to seek the chairmanship. FOUNDATION A highlight of the annual meeting was the presentation of a $22,000 cheque to the Authority by the Maitland Conservation Foundation. The presentation was made to Ms. Lobb by Joe Vulders, acting chairman of the Foundation. The money will be used to support conservation education activities. The 2003 total budget for the Authority is $1,848,591 (compared between government officials and farmers and farm interest groups as being “warm.” Revised legislation resulting from the second phase of discussions which began Dec. 2, 2002, went to Cabinet that very day (Feb. 19), he said. FUNDING The biggest concern now facing farmers regarding nutrient management is whether there will be adequate provincial funding, Dr. Fitzgibbon said. Noting the cost will be higher for small farms, on a relative basis, Dr. Fitzgibbon said he has been approached by many farmers saying they will not be able to afford the costs of nutrient management legislation and will be forced to sell their small, family farm. “This would be a really unfortunate thing to happen,” Dr. Fitzgibbon said. "We want to keep our family farms.” He noted as well, that if a number of family farms are put up for sale, it will have an adverse affect on the equity that farmers have built up. “We have to go carefully — that’s the message we have to deliver; we don’t want to go backwards. Farmers need support...and since this legislation will protect clean water for everyone, then everyone should share the cost.” STEWARDSHIP Another unfortunate result of nutrient management would occur if Bill 81 is seen as something that will take over all aspects of farm management, said Dr. Fitzgibbon. Reminding the audience that farmers had been asking for nutrient management regulations since 1995 — “long before Walkerton” — Dr. Fitzgibbon said “real progress” had been made by farmers in to $1,507,826 in 2002.) It is estimated the 2003 budget will result in a surplus of $34,048. However, that surplus will be all that is left of $107,928 in reserve from 2002. Included in expenditures are: flood safety services, $143,660; watershed stewardship services, $928,933; conservation areas management services, $345,465; corporate services $321,008; Maitland Watershed Partnerships job creation (2002-2003) $27,904; Growing Organic Agriculture Project, $81,621. Phil Beard, MVCA general manager and secretary-treasurer, noted provincial funding to the Authority has been frozen at $70,556 since 1995. This year the Maitland Authority will receive an additional $3,000 for low-flow monitoring. Beard said if conservation authorities are to do the work necessary for conservation, then more provincial support is required. In this regard, Authorities across Ontario will be lobbying the government for more financial assistance. Besides provincial funding, sources of revenue for the Maitland Authority include: general revenue (mainly for services rendered) $722,948; donations, $37,445; other grants (mainly for specific government programs) $516,760; general and special levies of $415,404 and $8,598 respectively. REPORT In his annual report, Beard said the organization is continuing to leave behind its “empire building,” Continued on page 25 environmental farm planning. Many farmers have spent money on environmental improvements on their farms to protect waterways and to practise good conservation. “We need to support stewardship, not replace it,” he said. “Stewardship is the right thing to do, and is absolutely essential to maintain.” Dr. Fitzgibbon said he expects conservation authorities will continue to play a large part in assisting farmers to continue stewardship and to meet nutrient management regulations. COMPLIANCE While there has been criticism of the government for its delays in bringing in nutrient management regulations, Dr. Fitzgibbon said “We still think this is a bit tight.” Regulations will apply first to the largest agricultural operations and to new and expanding operations, and lastly to small farms. Farms are graded according to the amount of nutrient units produced. One nutrient unit is the amount of manure it takes to fertilize one acre of com. Farms are graded from the largest, Category 4, having 300 or more nutrient units, down to Category 1 and smaller, producing 30 or less nutrient units. Category 4 farms are to be in compliance with Bill 81 this year; Category 3, by 2005 (or perhaps 2006); Category 2 farms, 2007; and Category 1 and smaller by 2008 or 2009. According to Dr. Fitzgibbon, the largest number of farms is in Category 2. “There are 35,000 farms that will have to be in compliance in two years.” Dr. Fitzgibbon said he believes 70 Country Fare By Patricia Ham, Auburn School House Hoping you will enjoy and use some of the recipes 1 will be giving each month. They have all been tested by me in my home, and will come from many sources. They are easy family food that teenagers and parents will enjoy. APPLE BROWN BETTY 6 apples (crispin, mutsu, russet or gala) all peeled and cored. Retain cores and peeling 1 1/2 cups water in a saucepan 2 tbsp, brown sugar 2 cups bread crumbs 1 cup regular oatmeal 3 tbsp, melted margarine 2 tbsp, white sugar 1 tbsp, cinnamon Put cores, peelings, water and brown sugar in saucepan. Boil for 10 minutes, drain, retaining water and discard the pulp. Add approximately two sliced apples to Brussels Village Market We ficure the itiqwdietity 887-9740 Food Markets per cent of farmers will be able to use the “short form” of nutrient management paper work and the work involved “should not be onerous.” REGULATIONS Dr. Fitzgibbon outlined a number of recommended regulations in Bill 81. These include: • Plans must be renewed e'ery five years. Those who have spent money on plans already will be allowed to use them if they are not older than five years, and then will have to upgrade them at the five- year deadline. • Plans also must be upgraded if herd size is increased by 20 per cent, or land by 10 per cent (or by 25 acres.) • Category 4 farms will require a Certificate of Operation, similar to industries and sewage treatment plants. Donation Joe Vulders, acting chairman of the Maitland Conservation Foundation, presented a cheque in the amount of $22,000 to Maitland Valley Conservation Authority chair Alison Lobb. Money raised goes to support conservation education activities. (Listowel Banner photo) hot juice and cook over medium heat until almost pureed. Meanwhile toss together bread crumbs, oatmeal, margarine, white sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle 1/3 of mixture over bottom of a greased 9" baking pan. Slice remaining apples over crumb mixture. Pour apple pur£e over apple slices and sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Bake for 35 minutes at 350°F. STOVETOP RICE PUDDING 2 cups cooked rice 2 eggs 1 cup carnation milk diluted with one cup water 1 tsp. vanilla 4 tbsp, sugar Beat eggs and sugar. Scald milk and pour gradually over eggs, stirring all the time. Cook in double boiler and when milk mixture begins to thicken add the rice. Mix slowly, continue cooking until custard mixture begins to thicken. Add vanilla and cool. • Regulations for farm food safety will only have to be done once. • Setback from surface water bodies for nutrient management will include a vegetative bumper of three metres. • No nutrient, spraying within 25 metres of single family dwellings and within 50 metres of health and educational facilities and in built-up areas. • No nutrient application on frozen ground, or if snow cover is more than five centimetres (two and a half inches). • No application of manure on bare bedrock. • New and expanding farm operations will have a liquid manure storage limitation of 240 days. • For farms without storage tanks, manure can be stored for 60 days uncovered in a field, or appropriate site, and for 120 days if covered. cph CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL NOTICE" MEMBERS OF CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL CORPORATION Please take notice of the following renewal requirements for membership in the Corporation. “A person is eligible to be an Annual Member where he or she pays to the Corporation the annual membership fee for individuals.” “No member shall be entitled to vote at any meetings of the Corporation unless the member has paid all dues or fees at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of the meeting.” Life Members must pay the annual fee in order to vote. Annual Memberships run from April 1 of one year to March 31 of the next year. Membership Fee is $5.00. The date of this year’s Annual General Meeting is June 23, 2003. Janice Cosgrove Secretary of the Board