County Regional Environmental
Evaluation KO-Alition
LETTERS - 2002

CREEK letter to the THE EDITOR of THE PICTON GAZETTE - December 29, 2002

Terry Otto, on December 27 in the regular guest column of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, took issue with what he terms "politically correct bandwagons". Those "bandwagons" he refers to are concerns expressed by ordinary citizens about the quality of our air and water.

Had CREEK's letter in response to the OFA column of December 14 been printed, Mr. Otto would have noted that we share the OFA concerns in two areas; the environment, and the economics of agriculture in Ontario.
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CREEK letter to the Editor of The Picton Gazette - December 14, 2002

Ron Bonnett, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, in his regular guest column, addressed the consultations in the second stage of draft regulations for Ontario's Nutrient Management legislation.

CREEK would like it to be known that we share his concerns in two areas; the environment, and the economics of agriculture in Ontario.
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Ron Bonnett, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Ontario farmers and their organizations have already started through the process of providing input to the construction of the second stage of the draft regulations for Ontario's Nutrient Management legislation. If the first meetings are any indication, it appears that the farmers have a lot they want to tell the government.
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CREEK letter to the editor of The County Weekly News - December 14, 2002

CREEK found your editorial of December 13, 2002 to be a balanced analysis of the benefits and drawbacks to Bill 81, the Nutrient Management Legislation, and its accompanying regulations. As you say, we all agree with the goal of taking preventative measures to ensure the safety of our water. CREEK's concern about the environment is well known. Not as well known, perhaps, is our support for family farmers. We understand that, for many, farming is a subsistence business. The legislation and accompanying regulations as written will impose a severe hardship on these operations.
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The idea of storing an spreading manure isn't a pleasant one. But, it is a fact of life for farmers. And these days, it's a fact of life that is getting a whole lot more complicated.

Draft regulations under Ontario's Nutrient Management Act aim to provide clear, consistent standards fro agricultural practices that affect the environment, including land-applied materials containing nutrients. Plant nutrients found in manure make great fertilizer, and have been an essential part of farming practice since shortly after the neolithic agricultural revolution (when man began to farm).
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The following is a letter written to Mr. Lalonde re his Private Member's Bill on Mega-Hog Farms

Dear Mr. Lalonde,

My name is Linda Roberts and I am the chairperson of CREEK (County Regional Environmental Evaluation Ko-Alition). CREEK is a group of residents of Prince Edward County and was formed in the winter of 2000/01 in response to concerns about an Intensive Livestock Operation (3000 hogs) in our area. This operation is immediately adjacent to Lake Ontario, Prinyer's, Cove and a "provincially significant environmentally protected wetland".

CREEK has made submissions to the Committee on General Government on three occasions articulating its concerns about the impact of this operation on the environment.

We were most pleased to learn (only recently) of your Private Member's Bill on Mega-Hog Farms, and would like to do all that we could to facilitate its passage, although we don't hold out much hope.

Our first idea was to conduct a letter-writing campaign to all MPP's, but decided to consult with you first. What can we do to help?

Sincerely,

Linda Roberts

A letter to the Editor of The Picton Gazette

We read with interest the article about the recent improvements to the operations of the Hay Bay Genetics facility in the Cressy Region. CREEK appreciates the efforts of our Councillor, Robert Quaiff, and Quinte Conservation; they have spent considerable time on this issue. Certainly, injection of the manure has improved the situation.

However, we do not believe it can honestly be said that "the people down there are happy now." It is unfortunate that the reporter did not confirm that perception with the members of CREEK. We are still awaiting additional steps that we believe Hay Bay Genetics can take to protect our health and our quality of life. These include:

1. a cover on the open lagoon which stores 1,000,000 gallons of liquid manure,
2. an improved ventilation system in the barn,
3. an expanded buffer zone between the fields receiving the manure and water-courses,
4. independent soil and water tests.

We are hopeful that the recommendations made by Justice O'Connor in the Walkerton Report, Part ii, regarding the mapping and monitoring of the watershed will be implemented. It must be remembered that all Prince Edward County residents share the same watershed.

Sincerely,
Linda Roberts
Chairperson, CREEK

Referenced Article

• Injection should reduce odour
  Hay Bay Genetics installs injection pipes near Cressy

CREEK Chair, Linda Roberts, replies to the President of Hay Bay Genetics Inc., Ronald F. Davis

It appears from the letter by Mr. Ron Davis, president of Hay Bay Genetics Inc., that someone is missing the key issues, and it would appear to be Mr. Davis himself. It is important that some of the disinformation contained in the letter be addressed.
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Ronald F. Davis, President of Hay Bay Genetics Inc., letter to the editor of the Picton Gazette