CAMROSE, Alta. (Staff) – The oil and gas industry is monitored for safety, but it still presents hazards to the cattle industry, said a draft report for the Alberta Cattle Commission.
“Sour gas poisoning has occurred in cattle,” said an executive summary of the report, prepared for the commission by scientists at the Alberta Environmental Centre in Vegreville and WDA Consultants Inc. of Calgary.
“The toxicity of the noxious emissions in livestock has been observed to increase when well emissions are being burned,” said the report.
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The report was commissioned by the provincial cattle producer organization when some members questioned the impact of the oil industry on their livestock.
The report has been in the works for about five years. Information was obtained primarily through literature searches of library databases, conference proceedings and reports. The report is going through another revision and should be released in about six months.
The report said cattle, like other animals, differ in their response to a poison.
“Generally, calves are more susceptible to toxic substances than are cows, pregnant cows are more susceptible than are open cows, and lactating cows are more susceptible than are dry cows.”
The report also said some breeds are more susceptible than others to toxic substances.
The report lists other problems arising in livestock that may be associated with the oil and gas industry, including weight gain, diarrhea, muscular weakness and eye and respiratory irritation.
Wayne Johnston of Sundre, who believes his livestock have suffered from the oil and gas activity in his area, said he doesn’t want to stop the industry. He just wants it to be more careful.
“All I want was them to clean up their act,” said Johnston, who has been fighting with the industry for several years.
He said he cannot raise healthy grain or livestock in his area because of emissions drifting onto his farm from nearby wells and production facilities.
Residents take a stand
Bill and Phyllis Bocock of St. Albert also think oil and gas industry officials need to be told that people who live in rural areas will no longer put up with the smells and pollution from oil and gas sites across the province.
The Bococks and their neighbors lobbied to have more safety features added to a battery site that was built in their area a few years ago.
“We’re very fortunate all our neighbors opposed the plant,” said Bill.
The couple, who have a dairy farm near St. Albert, on the outskirts of Edmonton, said they are fighting the oil and gas industry to help improve their cow’s dairy health. But they think oil industry officials should be just as concerned about the health of people in the community.
“You just have to keep whittling away at them. In the final analysis it’ll effect their kids too,” said Phyllis.
