City Hall asks for ban on blueberry cannons
By Joe Millican - Abbotsford News
Published: February 25, 2009 6:00 PM
The City of Abbotsford is calling on the B.C. Farm Industry Review Board to
take aim at blueberry cannons, and ban their use across the province.
The farm review board was in Abbotsford at the start of February, to gather
input from the public before deciding whether to outlaw the noise-makers on
berry farms.
At Monday’s council meeting, Coun. John Smith proposed that the city send a
letter to the review board asking that the cannons be banned.
“We should reinstate what we have said previously, stating that we strongly
oppose the use of cannons,” he said.
According to Smith, to make B.C. cannon-free, no more of the contraptions
should be allowed on any new plantations.
Existing cannons should be phased out in the coming years, Smith said, while
asking that the government work harder “to help farmers with these pests.”
The motion was unanimously approved, with Coun. Dave Loewen also asking that
the city contact other Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland municipalities to
obtain their support.
Blueberry cannons are used by farmers to scare away starlings and other
airborne pests from their crops.
