In British Columbia’s Fraser Valley, the expansion of manure-producing hog operations is not the main problem at the root of the waste management controversy.
The problem is the sprawl of human settlement.
When ritzy country homes are built beside farm fences, conflicts are inevitable, said Margaret Crowley, director of policy development with the B.C. Federation of Agriculture.
“People like to move in beside that green grass field, but they don’t like the smell.”
She predicts a moratorium on farm expansion in the Lower Fraser Valley. Now, any expansion must include an approved environmental plan.
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Manure disposal is the major challenge for this region and as more suburbs come to the area, the conflicts multiply because of smells, noise, flies and dust associated with intensive agriculture.
Another concern is the water supply. The area relies on the Abbotsford Aquifer and Washington State has blamed B.C. farms for reported downstream contamination.
Meet code of practice
Municipalities are being told they have three years to make their bylaws conform with the province’s right-to-farm legislation and with agricultural codes of practice, said Crowley.
In addition, an agriculture peer advisory service has been set up to explain farm practices to local governments and to visit farmers facing complaints to see where improvements are needed.
