By Kevin Mills - Abbotsford News, Feb. 02, 2010
Opponents of blueberry cannons are cautiously optimistic after a ruling by the
Farm Industry Review Board last week.
The FIRB ruled in favour of Surrey resident Jim McMurtry, who filed a complaint
regarding the use of propane cannons on a nearby blueberry farm.
The board found Sekhon Blueberry Farm Ltd. was not in compliance with August
2009 ministry guidelines for the use of audible bird scare devices. The farm
was ordered to modify its propane cannon management practices.
While the complaint was filed in Surrey, the potential ramifications could
affect farmers across south coastal B.C., including Abbotsford.
“We were very excited to hear about the ruling. We have been fighting this
thing for years,” said Don Gibbs, a resident of Bradner and a member of the Ban
the Cannons group.
“We think the ruling has a lot of potential.”
Ban the Cannons formed in Abbotsford in 2001 and has steadily grown to consist
of members from Chilliwack to Delta.
Propane cannons are used on blueberry farms to scare birds away from the crops.
The cannons can begin at 6:30 a.m. and fire, in some cases, every six minutes,
until dusk.
Two years ago, Ban the Cannons helped get a three-hour break (noon to 3 p.m.)
added to the guidelines, offering neighbouring homes some relief from the
all-day blasts.
Gibbs said the guidelines upheld by last week’s ruling call for a more sensible
approach to cannon use, ordering farmers to monitor their fields and only use
the cannon when a “significant” number of birds is present.
While pleased with the decision, Gibbs said the fight will continue.
“Most of us still want to see the cannons banned,” he said.
Jim Collins, executive director of the FIRB, said the ruling is a reminder to
farmers to stay within the guidelines of cannon use.
“It doesn’t mean you can’t have your cannons on a timer, you just have to know
that it’s justified,” said Collins.
He added that farmers have to be responsible for managing the use of audible
scare devices.
“The cannons are noisy and farmers have to take responsibility.”
The B.C. Blueberry Council was contacted for comment but did not contact the
News by press deadline.
