It can be too easy for farmers to either ignore how their actions are perceived by the public or complain about public perception but fail to seek solutions.
Either way, the result can be government regulation in which they had no input.
This is why it is so encouraging to see the actions of two farm organizations in light of recent concerns about road safety in Manitoba.
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Those concerns began with a tragic accident on Sept. 24, 2022, when motorcyclists travelling on a highway near Steinbach, Man., drove into mud debris. One of the bikers died.
Earlier this year, Manitoba Public Insurance sued a dairy farm, its owner and a farm worker for the costs of towing and repairing the motorcycles. It alleges someone from the farm was responsible for leaving mud on the highway while operating machinery and failed to clear the debris, post warning signs or take steps to have the road closed.
MPI argues that makes them responsible for the collision.
This case will make its way through the courts, but in the meantime, a working group has been formed to study highway debris and road safety.
It will likely make recommendations to government that will include increased regulation, and farmers will surely be among the most affected.
Of the many industrial users of public roadways, farmers can be found almost everywhere and at any time of year.
There is an obvious fear here that this working group could scapegoat farmers and recommend onerous rules.
But two farm groups have opted to do something other than shout about those fears from the sidelines.
The National Farmers Union and Keystone Agricultural Producers, Manitoba’s general farm organization, are rolling up their sleeves and preparing to do the heavy lifting as part of the highway safety review.
They have joined the working group, along with the Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure, Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Public Insurance and the RCMP.
The move by KAP and the NFU makes sense, considering how much is at stake, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
On its website, KAP makes a point of identifying public trust as a critical part of the agricultural sector.
“It is imperative that consumers learn about the agricultural sector through the farmer’s point of view,” it says.
“KAP will work with industry groups and government to ensure that confidence, transparency, reputation, knowledge and openness — which are all part of public trust — are maintained within the sector.”
What better way to walk the walk than to join a group that is tasked with handling highway debris and road safety.
And remember, this group has a decades-old history of taking action. When fall burning of crop residue became a public issue in Manitoba, KAP helped develop a manageable solution.
Agriculture needs more action like this, so kudos go to both KAP and the NFU for putting actions before words. Who better to address the concerns of farmers in this review than farmers themselves?
It’s hoped the recommendations that come from this process will recognize motorists’ responsibility to watch road conditions, but inevitably, much of the focus will be on the responsibilities of heavy highway users to keep roadways clear of danger.
Farmers will likely receive a lot of attention, making it critical that they be part of the conversation and work from the inside.
Karen Briere, Bruce Dyck, Barb Glen, Michael Robin, Robin Booker and Laura Rance collaborate in the writing of Western Producer editorials.
