Taking care of the neighbourhood

The order is directed at one specific company, but its message is more universal: shellfish waste and seaweed are acceptable soil amendments, but they must be stored and handled in such a way as to not cause discomfort to neighbours. Last fall, the Town of Alberton and some residents complained to the P.E.I. Department of Agriculture about strong odours coming from farmland in and near the town. The odours were traced to stockpiles of shellfish waste and seaweed stored on Westech Agriculture farm fields. It was not the first time such concerns were raised. Neighbours also complained of fly problems and of birds dropping shells on their properties. The Farm Practices Review Board established a panel to hear the complaints and last month delivered its ruling. The farm can continue to use the products, but it must be incorporated into the soil within 24 hours of application and, if it cannot be ploughed under or worked into the soil within 24 hours, then short-term stockpiling will be permitted as long as the stockpile is located at least 1.5 kilometres from a residence and is not easily seen by the general public. Now, this order is directed at Westech Agriculture, but it would not be unreasonable to expect other farm operators to incorporate such products into the soil immediately to avoid inconveniencing neighbours. Let’s not overlook, though, that Prince Edward Island, despite its population density, is an agricultural province. Farmers need to be able to grow their crops and raise their livestock. The ruling by the Farm Practices Review Board does not prevent farmers from doing so, but it encourages them to be mindful of their neighbours. Many practices have changed over the years, and some of them are surely due to a growing percentage of the population whose only connection to farming is consuming the food the farmers produce. Livestock must now be fenced out of streams. Buffer zones are mandatory, and precautions need to be taken to prevent agricultural chemicals from entering streams. It’s still not an exact science, but changes are happening to protect the environment. Protecting the environment, after all, is in everyone’s best interest. There are some things about farming that can be bothersome, like dust blowing onto neighbour’s property while working the land in dry conditions, and unpleasant odours when manure is spread, but such inconveniences are temporary. There are times, too, when the general public needs to be more respectful of farmers and their properties. Driving across farm fields without permission is disrespectful and harmful. There are many other things done on farm property without permission, like pulling into a farm lane just for a place to hang out, disposing of garbage on farmers’ fields, using a field for putting practice and stunting around in crops with dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles. The simple truth is it is not “we versus they.” Farmers are as much a member of the general public as anyone else. Neighbours actions should not negatively impact farmers and farmers activities should not impact neighbours.