Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-11 Minutes CLARINGTON AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY, APRIL 11th, 2013 MEMBERS PRESENT: Brenda Metcalf John Cartwright Eric Bowman Gary Jeffery Tom Barrie Mary Ann Found Mark Bragg Don Rickard Councillor Partner Les Caswell Jenni Knox Ted Watson STAFF: Faye Langmaid GUESTS: Nancy Rutherford, Region of Durham Laura Wood and Sheila Hall, CBOT Ted welcomed all to the meeting, everyone introduced themselves. _-,�,,, � Adoption of Agenda _ % ._ 013-11 Moved by Eric Bowman, seconded by MaryAnn Found "That the Agenda for April 11`", 2013 be adopted" = CARRIED Approval of Minutes 013-12 Moved by Mary Ann Found seconded by Eric Bowman That the minutes of the March 14t1', 2013 meeting be approved CARRIED Presentations: Nancy Rutherford provided an overview of the Durham Draft Agricultural Strategy (presentation attached). There have been three members of the Agricultural Community involved in helping Durham staff to understand the industry, Tom Barrie is one of the three. Some of the interesting statistics that have been determined as part of this review is that while Agriculture has been the number one industry in Clarington it was typically#2 in Durham, that has changed in the past 5 years and it is once again the#1 economic driver for Durham. Also, 98% of farms are still family farms and many have succession plans for next generation or to another entity. Comments are due the first week of May. Committee determined that they would hold a special meeting to review the strategy the week of April 22nd, exact date and time to be arranged next week. Business Arising from Minutes CBOT Tour - Don and Laura Wood from CBOT, provided invitations and an update on the planning for a tour for Friday, April 12th. Arrangements have been finalized with the farms. There are about 25 attending at this point. Looking forward to tomorrow. CLOCA Stewardship Programs — Response received from Russ Powell, CAO at CLOCA was circulated. Council has endorsed the resolution; it has yet to be discussed by CLOCA Board. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington April 1 1th, 2013 Terms of Membership — Council approved the resolution. The intention is to implement after the next election when appointments are made, half would be for 2 years and the other half for 4 years and then appointments would be made mid-term. Species at Risk— the representatives from MNR were invited but they wanted it to be clear to the committee that they have no input on the policy discussion, formulation or direction. They are the researchers; they would not be able to attend the June meeting. Committee determined that it would be more beneficial to speak to the policy writers. Revisions to the Pet By-law - there had been some concern that the role of working dogs had not been accurately captured. Working dogs are the same as employees but they stay with the herd/flock 24/7. Faye checked with Anne Greentree and let the committee members know that this had been addressed in the by-law. Correspondence and Council Referrals Adof Covanta and their PR person, Amy Bonnington called to offer a tour of the EFW site to the Committee members, most likely in the fall. MP Erin O'Toole has been invited to attend an Ag meeting when his schedule and the committee meetings match up. He was pleased to be invited and will follow-up later in the year. Liaison Reports DAAC — Eric provided an update from DAAC. They had a presentation at their last meeting from Miller Compost about their operations, including the operation at Hancock Road. There was also discussion of GMO and how it affects the overall production. DRFA —Farm Connections event on April 2, 3, and 4 was very successful; 1100 people at the open house, 1200 students over the 3 days. April 16th next DRFA meeting in Nestleton, next evening is the Cattlemen's. CBOT —Annual Meeting is scheduled for April 25th. Don Rickard is willing to continue in his liaison role between AACC and CBOT. Don is very pleased with the recognition that agriculture is receiving from CBOT and also the interest of fellow Board members. Discussion on the impact that policies on the Bobolink could have, the dire problems of honey bees which the CBOT directors now have a better appreciation of. Future Agendas Marlene Werry is booked to come as a speaker on the abattoir business plan in June. Other ideas were to have someone attend on Biosolids, Mike Kapansky from Miller Compost and someone on alternative energy project (solar, wind) and Green Energy Act approvals. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington April 1 1th, 2013 Other Business 1) Natural Heritage Systems Discussion Paper for the Official Plan Review was issued on April 8th, also issued was the Parks, Open Space and Trails Discussion Paper. Faye distributed the public information session notices and encouraged all to attend. The impact of the Natural Heritage System (NHS) is that in the valleys and where natural features exist the system has been more accurately mapped in the rural areas, in the urban areas it better defines what is developable and what is not. The map that Faye had to display the system makes it obvious where the Long Sault and Ganaraska Forests are, Enniskillen valley and Lake Iroquois Shoreline (many of the PSW's are in this location). MNR will be at two of the Public Information Sessions, the NHS includes all the PSW's and ANSI's that have been determined by MNR and provided to Clarington. These features were protected through policy but not as accurately mapped in the 1996 Official Plan. As we move to next steps it will be important to determine how the NHS will be shown in the Rural area because of the policies of the Greenbelt that protect agriculture. 'IV As 2) Countryside Discussion Paper can now be completed as it fits together with the NHS. The paper will include a discussion on Secondary Uses; however the proposed changes to the PPS define accessory and secondary uses as being agriculture- related. In the past committee has always supported this definition and when Clarington submitted comments on the PPS this was reflected in the comments. Aa%lih Eric Bowman moved for Adjournment. Next Meeting May 9th, 2013, 7:30pm Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington April 1 1th, 2013 Welcome Stakeholder Consultation ■� Draft Region of Durham Agricultural Strategy 2013-2018 Stakeholder Consultation April S, 2013 Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington April 1 1th, 2013 Introduction DURHAM REGION ■■■ Durham Region's agriculture and agri-food sector is vital to a healthy, diverse and strong economic future Our goal is to work effectively with industry stakeholders to continue to be recognized as a leading agriculture and agri- food sector Protecting and enhancing the agriculture and agri-food industry's "working landscape" will build confidence and promote profitability Background DURHAM REGION • In 2010, the Region hosted a facilitated consultation with industry stakeholders, identifying four key priorities:. • Industry Attraction. Retention and Expansion; • Outreach and Education: • A Supportive Policy Environment and Service Delivery; and • Labour Force Development. • A steering committee formed continues to work with staff in the Strategy development Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington April 1 1th, 2013 AAgriculture in Durham Region DURHAM � J REGION • Highlights of the state of the agriculture industry in Durham Region: • Gross Farm Receipts (GFR) continue to increase despite a decline in the number of farms • Farmland area in Durham Region has declined from 373,611 acres in 1981 to 297,702 acres in 2011 • Tenure of Land — owned vs. rented/leased has remained stable • The number of smaller farms is declining while the number of farms generating in excess of$500,000 is increasing • The main (top ten) commodities Farm Cash Receipts in Durham Region r.� Legislative and Policy Framework DURHAM REGION There are a number of planning related regulations and policies that farmers must operate within and adhere to: Provincial policies and plans include: — Provincial Policy Statement (PPS); Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act and Plan; Nutrient Management Act: Greenbelt Act and Plan; Places to Grow Act and Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe; Clean Water Act; and (Lake Simcoe Protection Act and Plan Regional policies and plans include: — Durham Region Strategic Plan Growing Together; Durham Regional Official Plan; Durham Food Charter; Region of Durham Food Processing Action Plan; Integrated Community Sustainability Plan; and Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Action Plan Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington April 11th, 2013 Agriculture in Durham Region N • The agriculture and agri-food industry consists of the following components: • Inputs to agriculture; Agricultural production; • Food processing and distribution; Food service and retail. • Durham has high potential to expand as a food and farming cluster. • Benefits of a healthy agriculture and agri-food industry to the prosperity and quality of life in Durham include economic, agri-tourism, environmental, education, social and health. Vision for Agriculture in Durham Region R Q "Provide a supportive environment for the agriculture and agri-food industry in Durham Region, to succeed in a sustainable manner in the areas of economics, health, food safety. animal welfare, and environment." Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington April 11th, 2013 k-1 UA DURHAM Guiding Principles REGION • Attract, Retain and Expand Agriculture and Agri-Food Businesses; Promote Outreach and Education; • Maintain a Supportive Policy Environment, and i Support an Agriculture Labour Forgo ONTARIO IN CANADA DURHAM Next Steps REGION • Input from these stakeholder consultation sessions will aid in the further development of the Action Plan which will be included in the Final Region of Durham Agricultural Strategy. The final Strategy will be presented to Planning and Economic Development Committee and to Regional Council later this year. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington April 1 1th, 2013