By OMAFRA Ag Rep Brian Bell
Growing Forward 2 (GF2) Funding
Processors: submit your application for Growing Forward 2 cost-share funding by March 24, 2016. Producers: Submit your application for Growing Forward 2 cost-share funding starting June 17 to July 7, 2016. Organizations and Collaborations: Applications are now being accepted until Thursday, April 21, 2016. What are we looking for? Good projects that align with one of the six areas of focus below: well-written and well-documented projects; required permits for the proposed project are in place; new projects that have yet to be started. Areas of focus eligible for funding: environment and climate change adaptation; animal and plant health; market development; labour productivity enhancement; assurance systems; food safety, traceability, animal welfare; Business and leadership development. Growing Forward 2 (GF2) is a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Deadstock-Planning and Management
The Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management estimates that barn fires cost Ontario farmers more than $25 million per year (2012-2014 average). Do you know what to do in the event of a farm emergency? Do you know what to do if you have deadstock to manage? Barn fires, natural disasters, equipment failures and diseases are devastating events for farmers, their families and workers, and the neighbouring community. Planning ahead to reduce risks, and preventing accidents with a safe operation will help to protect employees, family members and animals. Emergency events can cause substantial loss to a farm operation and create unique challenges for farmers, including disposing of large volumes of deadstock. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) have a regulation that gives you options for deadstock management. These options help to protect water quality, reduce environmental impacts and minimize biosecurity hazards, such as scavenging. Collection of deadstock by a licenced collector is recognized as the most effective and sustainable disposal method. In emergency situations, you can apply to OMAFRA for an emergency authorization for the storage, disposal or transportation of deadstock. These authorizations can be used when emergency conditions exist that make it difficult for you to dispose of deadstock according to the regulation. OMAFRA works with the province’s farmers, commodity groups, insurance companies, municipalities and trucking companies to ensure that deadstock is disposed of as soon as possible. In granting an exemption, OMAFRA considers the various factors of the situation, such as: the urgency of the situation; the number of animals to be disposed; biosecurity risks; time of year; the condition of the deadstock; site conditions, including proximity to tile drains, location of surface water and wells, and depth to groundwater. Planning ahead can help alleviate some of the stress during an emergency. Our web page found at ontario.ca/farmsafety has useful resources for farm owners, including information on preventative maintenance for farm buildings and our book, “Reducing the Risk of Fire on Your Farm.” Visit ontario.ca/deadstock for information on contingency deadstock planning and the regulation.
