In late April, 2008, two members of our group supported by delegates from the Fraser Valley Regional District met with Ministry of Agriculture staff and Directors of the BC Blueberry Council to discuss propane cannons and try to reach agreement on some mitigation to the noise situation for the upcoming blueberry season. The meetings were arranged by Randy Hawes and Agriculture Minister Pat Bell.
The objective of the meeting, at least according to Randy Hawes was to reach agreement on some mitigation to the noise problem that could go into effect for the upcoming blueberry season. Randy used the term "significant mitigation" in a letter he sent to the people involved in these meetings.
As usual, however, the blueberry growers and their henchmen at the Ministry offered little in the way of concessions. The blueberry growers staunchly defended their use of noisemakers, and Bert van Dalfsen of the Ministry came up with one paltry concession. He proposed increasing the distance to neighbouring residences from 150 meters to 200 meters. Wow!
According to our reps, the blueberry growers tended to stay out of most discussions and let their ministry supporters argue on their behalf. Ministry supporters (Bert van Dalfsen and Mark Sweeney) armed with fancy maps and charts smugly rebuffed any and all suggestions for change.
The meeting was for the most part a waste of time. The increase to 200 meters may benefit a few families on smaller acreages, but otherwise nothing much was gained.
The only hope left for the 2008 season is that Randy Hawes promised that changes would be imposed if either side proved to be uncooperative or uncompromising. The blueberry crowd were totally uncompromising, so hopefully Randy will come through for beleagered residents.
