Concerns over Alberta’s labour laws | Liberal MLA says potato farms fail to protect farm workers
A prominent Alberta Liberal MLA plans to amplify his calls for a boycott of Alberta potatoes and other farm produce until the province’s Progressive Conservative government enacts labour laws that better protect farm workers.
Dr. David Swann, former party leader and now health and wellness critic for the Liberals, last week called on Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo., to boycott Alberta potatoes because potato farms fail to protect farm workers, including children.
On Aug. 27, Swann said he plans to extend his boycott call to other agricultural sectors, including beef, chicken and corn.
Read Also
Ag in Motion speaker highlights need for biosecurity on cattle operations
Ag in Motion highlights need for biosecurity on cattle farms. Government of Saskatchewan provides checklist on what you can do to make your cattle operation more biosecure.
He said he has reviewed the ethical procurement standards posted by Frito-Lay, McDonald’s and Yung Foods and contacted the companies.
“I’m asking them to either take down that statement that they are ethical procurers, or boycott this province where it is not required to meet ethical standards in the workplace,” Swann said.
“Either stop pretending that this place is providing ethical standards or boycott these industries and go elsewhere to get your stuff.”
Alberta human services minister David Hancock was unavailable for comment Aug. 27.
Both the Alberta Liberal and NDP parties have criticized Alberta as the only province without labour safety standards that apply to farm workers.
Potato Growers of Alberta chair Rob Van Roessel did not return calls by press time. The PGA website acknowledges Swann’s call for a boycott and says the organization “will not fight a media battle on this issue but will work as always with facts and common sense in a proper environment.”
Van Roessel’s official statement said the PGA prides itself on its food safety protocols and “has been involved in discussions with the Alberta government concerning worker safety.”
The PGA has a farm safety code of practice stating in part that “the mission of producers is to promote safety and health to farm workers and farm families through education and awareness, thus enabling them to work in a safe and healthy environment and allow them to assess and manage their personal risk.”
Calls to other southern Alberta potato growers were not returned.
Swann said his demand for a boycott was in part prompted by recently released statistics on child deaths on farms, which show an increase.
The Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research report said children up to 14 years old had the highest death rate of any age group, with an average annual increase of six percent.
From 1990 to 2006, 69 children died from agricultural injury, an average of four per year. Runovers were the most common cause, followed by drowning and rollovers.
The report said “the significant rate change experienced by children may be due to a consistent number of deaths but a significant decrease in the reported child agriculture population.”
Swan said the boycott is not aimed at producers.
“I hope the government is paying attention. That’s the target here. Operators are not the target. It’s the government that is unwilling to set standards.”
Producer outrage over the boycott call may prompt them to pressure government to enact standards, Swann said.
“I think any enlightened producer now wants that.”
He further suggested federal Bill C-45, also known as the Westray Mine bill, had implications for Alberta farm operators.
“Any farmer could be taken to court for criminal negligence if somebody on his property dies and he hasn’t fulfilled the basic requirements for health and safety.”
