GUELPH – Leading sectors of the Ontario agriculture industry have joined forces in opposing Bill 97 and the Proposed Provincial Planning Statement.
A press release from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture detailed the actions of the National Farmers Union – Ontario (NFU-O), Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), and the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO), along with numerous commodity and agricultural organizations that are united in their opposition to the bill.
The bill proposed by the Ontario government along with the province’s Proposed Provincial Planning Statement will, according to the OFA, “weaken farmland protections by allowing up to three lot severances per farm parcel in prime agricultural areas province-wide for residential, non-farm uses in addition to weakening important protections for specialty crop areas.”
The agricultural groups are asking farmers according to the press release: “To tell their MPPs and Minister Steve Clark (the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing) that they oppose Bill 97 and the Proposed Provincial Planning Statement, and that the government should abandon its proposal to allow for the severing of farmland parcels, in recognition of the current and future value of agriculture to the province’s economy, to our long-term food security, and long-term vibrant rural communities.”
President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Peggy Brekveld, said, “This legislation will have an impact on all Ontario farmers now and in the future. It will fragment and permanently remove farmland from productive agricultural use, and limit farm business growth.”
Brekveld added, “Ontario’s productive farmland is a scarce resource, making up less than five per cent of all the land in the province. Agricultural production is the most valued and best use of this land.”
Max Hansgen, president, National Farmers Union – Ontario said, “Directing growth to settlement areas, urban and rural is better for both agriculture and municipalities,” adding, “Housing needs can be met in serviced settlement areas on a much smaller land base, reducing farmland loss and potential land use conflicts, while ensuring efficient use of municipal infrastructure investments.”
Ed Scharringa, president of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario said, “As farm leaders and organizations, we have worked diligently to manage and mitigate conflict between farming and non-farming neighbours in all types of agriculture.”
Scharringa added, “The proposed changes will exacerbate conflict between farming and non-farming neighbours, for all aspects of farming, including application of crop nutrition and crop protection products, wildlife control and more.”
Farmers can add their voice and speak up against these short-sighted legislative proposals by sending letters from the OFA website or NFU website.
