ANIMAL DEATHS
Your photo feature on the Calgary Stampede rodeo failed to show or mention either of the animals that died this year (horse and steer), despite the fact these deaths made headlines across the country.
It seems odd that an agricultural publication would cover an activity that has so little to do with real farming and ranching.
What, for example, is the agricultural purpose of bull riding or steer wrestling? While concepts such as natural horsemanship and low-stress livestock handling are advancing animal welfare, rodeo celebrates cruel and unnecessary methods to make animals perform for human amusement. That’s not agriculture. It’s an inhumane circus.
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Agriculture needs to prepare for government spending cuts
As government makes necessary cuts to spending, what can be reduced or restructured in the budgets for agriculture?
Peter Fricker,
Projects and Communications Director,
Humane Society, Vancouver, B.C
LEAVE IT ALONE
Ever since its illogical inception to amalgamate certain municipalitiesbecause of their low populations, the province of Manitoba has caused nothing but confusion and grief, pitting neighbours and councils against each other in their bid to remain secure, as they are.
The most recent outcry is with the village of Dunnottar and the RM of St. Andrews. This small Lake Winnipeg beach community is making a major land takeover from the neighboring RM of St. Andrews, in order to avoid forced amalgamation.
There’s plenty of strife, abuse and challenges in the world today without the need for adding any more. It’s time the province’s officials take a deep breath, realize what harm they are doing and stand down on this venture. It’s time to leave well enough alone.
John Fefchak,
Virden, Man.
RESPONSE TO FEEDBACK
In June, many Saskatchewan newspapers published a letter submitted by the Rocanville Potash Restriction Drilling Area (PRDA) committee. Our submission detailed the issue of rights being taken away from freeholders within the restricted drilling zone and the significant loss of in-come that has resulted for individuals and the community.
Moreover, the committee wanted to explain what we stand for and request input and feedback from both government officials and the public.
The committee received a good deal of feedback from local residents as well as a few inquiries from interested communities outside our area. We have been encouraged by the positive response we have received.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the response we have re-ceived from government officials. As there were a few key questions and misconceptions that emerged from both the government and public feedback, we would like to respond and clarify a few points.
First, we would like to reiterate that the Rocanville PRDA committee and its freeholders are currently not asking for the restricted drilling zone to be lifted or modified.
While the government has not provided any objective scientific evidence to suggest the zone is required for the safety of the mine or how the size of the zone was determined, the committee strongly supports the safety of the PCS mine and its workers and is not asking for the restriction to be lifted. As such, we have asked for compensation as a means to resolve the issue of the lost income and the infringement of freeholder rights.
Secondly, many have asked where the government and our local representative stands on the issue.
To date, the committee is disappointed to report that our MLA Don Toth has not offered his support for this issue that has strongly impacted many of his constituents, and will continue to do so until some meaningful resolution is offered by his government.
Recent correspondence from premier Brad Wall offers little in providing a plan of action or a timeline for resolution. Despite the strong support he offered while in opposition, and despite the fact that he has been premier for over five and a half years, the government continues to drag its heels.
We encourage premier Wall to meet with the committee to bring his government up to date on the issue and finally make a commitment to getting this matter settled.
The committee will continue to push this important issue on behalf of affected freeholders. We welcome further comments from the public at cinnabar@rfnow.com
Scott Norton,
Rocanville PRDA committee,
Rocanville, Sask.
