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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-12 Minutes AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE of CLARINGTON MEETING THURSDAY, Dec 12 th, 2013 MEMBERS PRESENT: Brenda Metcalf John Cartwright Don Rickard Ted Watson Les Caswell Mary Ann Found Jenni Knox Eric Bowman Gary Jeffery REGRETS: Tom Barrie, Mark Bragg, Councillor Partner STAFF: Faye Langmaid GUESTS: Charles Stevens, Wilmot Orchards; Mayor Foster Ted welcomed all to the meeting, everyone introduced themselves. Adoption of Agenda 013-27 Moved by Eric Bowman, seconded by Donald Rickard That the Agenda for December 12, 2013 be adopted CARRIED Approval of Minutes 013-28 Moved by John Cartwright, seconded by Les Caswell th the November 13, 2013 meeting be approved CARRIED Presentations: Charles Stevens from Wilmot Orchards is a representative to a number of agencies, national and international on the affects of pollinators and pesticides. In his opinion the news regarding the collapse of the bee population has been exaggerated and used to advance the environmental lobby against pesticide companies. The number of colonies of bees in Ontario and Canada is rising. In Ontario there were 80,000 hives in 2000 and in 2012 there are 100,000 hives. Mainly the hives are used by the horticultural sector of agriculture (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries). There are a couple of specific issues that contributed to the large bee deaths in 2012. The spring came early (March) and then a cold period occurred in April/May, plus the honey production was very good and some producers had over harvested the honey not leaving enough to overwinter the hives. Varroa mites are a contributing factor. The Varroa mite is a parasite that feeds on the blood of honey bees and reproduces on the developing bee brood. An increased Varroa mite infestation weakens bees and could lead to a devastating colony loss during the stressful wintering period. The removal of hedgerows (foraging locations) is another factor for wild bees. th Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 12, 2013 Charles provided a number of background papers which can be accessed at the following websites: (or cut and paste the www address). http://www.croplifeamerica.org/pesticide-issues/protecting-our-pollinators croplife www. croplife www..ca/.../Facts http://www.croplife.com/management/stewardship/bayer-others-implicate-varroa-mites- in-overwintering-bee-losses/ Neonicotinoids is a pesticide being blamed for the collapse of the honey bee population by groups like the Pesticide Action Network. This network is large and aligned with the Sierra Club and other international environmental groups. They have been successful this is more of a political decision than one based in science. The evidence does not point to colonies dying. Neonicotinoids are over 20 years old as a pesticide type. They are under evaluation by Canada and the US jointly. Pesticides are evaluated every 5 years by PMRA. The Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is responsible for pesticide regulation in Canada. Created in 1995, this branch of Health Canada consolidates the resources and responsibilities for pest management regulation. Pesticides are stringently regulated in Canada to ensure they pose minimal risk to human health and the environment. Under authority of the Pest Control Products Act, Health Canada: registers pesticides after a stringent, science-based evaluation that ensures any risks are acceptable; re-evaluates the pesticides currently on the market on a 15-year cycle to ensure the products meet current scientific standards; and promotes sustainable pest management. Health Canada also promotes and verifies compliance with the Act and enforces situations of non compliance warranting action. Our programs and initiatives look to improve the regulatory process and provide Canadians pest control products and strategies with acceptable risk and value. Health Canada is committed to providing an open, transparent and participatory process for pesticide regulation. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/branch-dirgen/pmra-arla/index-eng.php In my search to find the websites there was this comment I came across which appears to sum up what Charles was speaking about. way In many ways, this fight is already underway. For years, various special interest groups have spread their opinion that biotech crops are bad (despite scientific evidence to the contrary). In a similar manner, the regulations regarding farming near waterways and application procedures are becoming stricter. th Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 12, 2013 To combat these potential threats, it will be important to not only keep up with any activities in your areas regarding these topics, but stay in regular touch with your local, state and national trade groups. Otherwise, the problem will undoubtedly get worse before it gets better. Bees are considered to be livestock. Business Arising from Minutes Incubator Site for Food Production or similar Co-ops As a follow-up to the discussion on the Colborne site it was requested that a resolution be prepared requesting Durham Economic Development to investigate the same type of facility for Clarington. As part of the background research the Northumberland Economic Development office was contacted to determine the basis for the facility. Joe Mullin Operations Manager Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre provided the following responses in italics. 1. In your market study for this facility, did you include the agricultural area of Durham and would this facility be available to the agricultural community in Clarington? (in other words if there are two of them would it defeat the purpose) Yes, the BRE study that was conducted included the agricultural community in Durham. 2. Not having seen the facility what is it really? Cold storage? Kitchen areas for value added products (like jams, sausages)? Etc? The facility will have limited cold storage, limited frozen storage, a commercial kitchen, processing equipment, pasteurizing, packaging, labeling and limited quick freezing. We are a niche facility and able to handle smaller quantities of product. We will have the ability to pack 50-75 cases of product, not hundreds, freeze hundreds of pounds of product, not thousands to give you an idea of our capabilities. 3. Would the committee members that are interested be able to tour the facility? Once the facility is up and running, arranging a tour, given advanced notice, will never be an issue. John Cartwright indicated that the facility is 15,000 sq. ft., the production space rents for $50 hr, the freezers are $3/sq. ft. The budget is $650,000 for construction, roof solar system in with local schools and colleges for training food workers. It will open next year and is assumed to pay for itself within 30 months if the utilization is as anticipated. After some discussion it was determined that a resolution was not necessary at this time. A tour of the site will be scheduled in 2014 when the site is open. th Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 12, 2013 Comments on Port Granby Tour Members attending found it interesting. It is a major construction project within an agricultural area and the final uses of the site as they are rehabilitated should enhance the area along the waterfront. Keeping the surrounding lands free of invasives during the construction will be a challenge. Correspondence and Council Referrals Suggestions of candidate names (representing agriculture) for the Sustainability Committee as requested by the GPA resolution were discussed. The terms of reference and request had been circulated to the committee in advance of the meeting. The Mayor provided the reasoning for the request with agriculture as the major economic driver in Clarington having its perspective at the table is very important. Names suggested were: Ian Kruis, Donald Rickard, Lisa Robinson and Judi Stevens. These people will be contacted by the liaison for the Sustainability Committee to determine their interest in Mayor thanked the committee for their input. Liaison Reports DAAC No report DRFA DRFA next meeting is Tuesday evening the guest speaker will be Matt Setzkorn the acting executive director of the Ontario Farmland Trust. th January 8, Farm Connections has a workshop in Scugog from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 regarding media training, cost is $20 a separate session with Prof. Wes Jamieson. April 1, 2, 3 will be Farm Connections, if you would like to volunteer please let Brenda know. This year there will be media packages, volunteers are needed in specific areas of expertise to be on call if the media would further aspects on a particular area of farming or in relation to a specific commodity group. th October 16, 2014 Farm Connections is working on a gala as a celebration of agriculture. Three purposes to recognize outstanding farmers, educate and as a fundraiser, the goal is $25,000. CBOT Laura Wood had provided an e-mail concerning the desire of CBOT to host an Agriculture Summit; similar in format to the Energy Summit. They are looking for topics and speakers. Suggestions were made regarding some prominent young people from this community that no longer live here being invited back to present. Don will work with Laura to help organize the event in early March. Future Agendas February- Gord and Garry Geissberger about their portable cider operation Meg Morris from Covanta has been invited and also the suggestion of a tour once the building is closed in. Suggestion that when the federal boundaries change the MP for the Ward 4 area be invited. th Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 12, 2013 Follow-up on Northumberland co-op tour. Other Business Mary Ann Found was congratulated on her award that was presented at the Royal Winter Institutes of Ontario. Mary Ann will be honoured at Council as well as this is a significant achievement and very well deserved. Members were informed about the Trees for Rural Roads receiving a Watershed Award. John Cartwright moved for Adjournment. th Next Meeting January 9, 2014, 7:30pm. January Cindy Strike on the Westside Creek development. th Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 12, 2013