Quality of Rural Life Also Scared Away
by Randy Hawes, MLA for Maple Ridge - Mission.
Published: Wednesday, November 27, 2007
in the Abbotsford News
Imagine living in a farming community with its rural lifestyle, peace,
tranquility and relaxed pace. Now imagine that lifestyle suddenly interrupted
with the incredibly loud bangs of propane cannons all around your home.
From 6:30 a.m. until 8 p.m., each and every day from May to well into September
the constant explosions persist, often many times a minute, every minute.
Now imagine the disruptions of the cannons magnified by the regular blasts of
orchard pistols and “bear bangers” which are akin to blank guns. Then add the
sound of bird distress calls played for hours over loudspeakers and you would
begin to understand the frustrations of many of my constituents who are now
living the new reality of life next to a blueberry operation.
The Fraser Valley has seen a massive increase in the number of blueberry farms
over the past 6 years and acreage in cultivation for blueberries has nearly
doubled over this period. Many of the new blueberry farms are smaller parcels
of land and often the owners live elsewhere.
The noisemakers used by the industry are intended to scare birds away from the
crops. Given the huge increase in blueberry acreage, there has been a similar
increase in the use of cannons and other noisemakers.
Birds have largely become acclimatized to the constant banging of the cannons.
They intend on feeding on the juicy berries and cannons will not deter them.
Early in the season birds fly up for a brief moment when a cannon blasts then
return to their feasting. After a few weeks they ignore the cannons and don’t
even look up when a cannon fires.
The Ministry of Agriculture estimates crop loss if these noisemakers are not
used would be in the 10 to 15 per cent range. Many of my constituents believe
the same losses occur even with the use of noisemakers. They say that
noisemakers have simply lost their effectiveness because of over-saturation.
There are alternatives including nets, the use of falcons, and although in
early research, the use of lasers has shown potential. These alternatives are
more expensive than cannons; however, given the acclimatization of birds to the
noise, all alternatives would likely be more effective and through decreased
crop loss may have economic payback.
The Ministry will be meeting with the Blueberry Council over the next few weeks
to discuss alternatives but one fact is irrefutable. If there are no changes to
the current guidelines for the use of cannons and other noise making devices,
there will increasing disruption in the lives of those living next to blueberry
farms. The result will be increasing frustration and anger from them as their
ability to enjoy their own property is eroded by the constant barrage of the
cannons, orchard pistols and distress calls over loudspeakers.
Lest there be any misunderstanding, the residents crying out for relief are
neither new to the rural area nor are they all working off the farm. By far the
bulk of complaints are coming from people engaged in farming, and who have seen
their lifestyle significantly and adversely altered by noisemakers aimed at
frightening birds.
I have discussed this issue in depth with the Minister of Agriculture who I
know must balance the needs of the blueberry industry with the rights of those
living adjacent to blueberry farms.
I believe that common sense and a respect for the right of everyone to the
quiet enjoyment of their property must prevail.
Randy Hawes is MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission.
Please visit: Randy's web site.
