Environment & Food Safety Committee

Food Safety & Security, Environmental Taxes, EG&S and Stewardship Issues

The 2010-2011 Environment & Food Safety Committee is made up of the following APAS Board members and Representatives:

 

If you have specific issues or concerns you would like to address with the commitee members, please use the CONTACT US link above and include "Environment Committee" in the subject line.

Proposed Agenda

August 13, 2010

Committee Meeting Minutes

March 4, 2010

Present:  Norm Hall, Brian Snell, Marion Kelly, Stan Novogrodski, Doug Faller.

 

The Environment and Food Safety Committee met in the Saskatoon Inn from 10:30 am till 3:10 p.m. on Thursday, March 4, 2010. The topics discussed were the resolutions from the December 2009 Mid Term meeting and those that went to the CFA 2010 AGM, Land Surface Rights, SERM Regulation Review, the two EG&S proposals from Delta Waterfowl and Ducks Unlimited, Ag Plastic Recycling, and pending Saskatchewan Carbon Trading Legislation.

 

Resolutions Update: The committee went over the actions taken on resolutions since the December Mid Term meeting, and discussed the one resolutions that went to the CFA AGM.

 

Land Surface Rights: We were hoping for either Don or Charles to attend this meeting so that we could hear a report from the surface rights meeting that they attended in Alberta. We did hear more stories of situations abandoned well sites and different pay structures from those of comparable sites in Alberta, and therefore the need for a Land Surface Rights Organization in Saskatchewan. We have asked either Don or Charles for a written report so that the committee can deal with this subject during the committee meetings at the AGM.

 

Saskatchewan Environment’s Regulatory Review: Doug gave a report of the meeting that he and Norm attended on January 19th in Regina, which was followed up by a meeting with two of the senior bureaucrat from Sask Environment one of which is in charge of the review. Doug also mentioned that the next meeting in Monday, March 8th in Regina, dealing with “Qualified Persons”, a term used within the review process to determine who will help guide the projects through to a environmentally clean end. Doug and Norm will once again attend.

 

Delta Waterfowl and Ducks Unlimited EG&S Proposals: Norm brought the committee up to date on the two EG&S proposals. The Delta Waterfowl proposal is moving from the conceptual stage to actually starting to move forward, although still at a snail’s pace. Delta has the funding for the project, Sask Environment has come on board. APAS has been put at the lead (administration). The next steps are to meet with Delta and start a list of partners to bring under the projects “wing”. The Ducks Unlimited proposal is still conceptual. APAS has given support to the concept to help in DU’s application for funding, we have asked for more information, but as of yet nothing has come forward.

 

Ag Plastic Recycling: Norm gave a short report on the workshop he attended in Saskatoon on January 20. Garth Burns was also in attendance representing the RM of Prairie Rose. There were 14 RM’s and quite a number of watersheds, urban municipalities, NGO’s, Sask Environment, Sask Ag, some private industry and private individuals. There are approximately 10 million pounds of grain bag plastics purchased in Sask this past fall, plus all of the silage plastic and twine used in the province, approx another 8 – 10 million pounds, and no recycling program. Different solutions were discussed and it was decided to form a committee to move forward. Norm put his name down as a contact and possibly a committee member.

 

Saskatchewan’s Carbon Trading Legislation: Doyle Wiebe from Sask Soil Conservation Assoc. came in to talk to the committee about what has been going on with the legislation. This spring there will be consultation with the industry. SSCA is on the contact list to make a presentation, he wasn’t sure about APAS. He asked if APAS would be a signator on their presentation or if we would be making our own presentation. It depends on whether or not we are on the presentation list. We also made it quite clear that they are the ones that invented the wheel and that Doug in no way could or wanted to become an expert on carbon sequestration or the legislation, so whatever APAS does will be on the coat tails of SSCA. It was suggested that a workshop of likeminded assoc. be held this spring to formalize a stand. It was also suggested that there be moneys put aside for a public awareness campaign to inform producers about the legislation. There will also be a Climate Change Foundation formed to guide the gov’t though the next few years. It wasn’t mentioned how this Foundation will be populated or when it will be formed.

 

B. Snell/ M. Kelly

That APAS support the efforts of SSCA to influence the Sask Carbon Trading Legislation to support the best interests of the Sask Ag Producers.

 

Carried

 

May 6, 2009 Conference Call

Participants:  Norm Hall, Don Connick, Charles Boser, Brian Snell, Stan Novogrodski, and Nial Kuyek

Saskatchewan Environment Regulations Review

The prime reason for the conference call was for Committee members to provide feedback on consultation documents provided as background to the Phase 2 consultation scheduled for Thursday, May 7 and where Nial Kuyek would represent APAS.  Nial commented that his analysis of the documents was that three Acts will be changed – Environmental Assessment, Environmental Management and Protection, and Forest Resources Management – and it is not clear how these changes will impact producers and the agricultural industry.  Committee members identified the following concerns and questions:

·        The paper was written by engineers and has a narrow focus.  Its focus needs to be broader.

·        The changes will shift costs to the project proponents.  What level of expertise and information will be available from government?

·        Grandfathering should apply to changes to existing operations (ILOs)

·        Where will land use overall be housed?

·        Will there be an appeal process to decisions of the Environmental Assessment Commissioner?

·        The Regulations should not over-ride local government by transferring authority and decisions to the Ministry.

·        Waste management regulations must be enabling and not restrictive.  Fees collected should be directed back to recycling and not absorbed into general revenues.

·        What is the additional human resources cost to the Ministry in moving to this model?

Joint Venture Proposal Between APAS and Ron Witherspoon of the Interactive Management Group (IMG)

Nial Kuyek reported that he is seeking an opportunity for discussion with Ron Styles, President of Crown Investments Corporation, to determine the status of Sask Power’s capital plans and whether or not government decision makers would be open to a proposal such as this.  Once this information is gained, the matter will be further discussed with the Committee.

Grain Bags

It was noted that a list of companies that recycle grain bags should be publicized as their disposal is becoming problematic.  

March 24, 2009 Minutes

Present:  Norm Hall, Don Connick, Charles Boser, Brian Snell, Nial Kuyek, and Ron Witherspoon (guest)

Review of Joint Venture Proposal

Ron Witherspoon of the Interactive Management Group (IMG) presented a proposal for a joint venture between IMG and APAS to complete the initial feasibility study for the attraction of $2.8 billion of investment capital into the agricultural sector for the sequestration of carbon.  Sask Power currently has plans for a clean coal project which is estimated to have a cost of $1.4 billion and which would largely be an export of Saskatchewan dollars for the purchase of equipment.  IMG/Witherspoon argues that directing these dollars to agriculture to sequester carbon would be just as effective in addressing carbon sequestration, would keep the dollars in Saskatchewan, and would benefit agriculture.  The joint venture would determine the feasibility of the concept and, if positive, provide the basis for an entity to be formed, to influence political decisions, and to attract capital.

Foresight Workshop on Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation in Agriculture

Norm Hall reported on participation in this Workshop in Calgary from March 11-13, 2009.  Norm noted that only a few producers were involved in the Workshop and that producers must be informed and involved as this will have significant impact on agriculture.  The Workshop identified four scenarios that will be researched and discussed at the next workshop in June.

Joint Venture Proposal

The Committee discussed the proposal and concluded that APAS must determine the status of Sask Power’s capital plans and whether or not government decision makers would be open to discussion of a proposal such as this.  The General Manager agreed that he would follow-up with Crown Investments Corporation and/or Sask Power.  Once this information is collected, a conference call of the committee will be held to discuss whether or not the Committee should recommend participation in the joint venture.

Saskatchewan Environment Regulations Review

The Committee discussed the Report for Stakeholders Participating in Round 1 Consultations and a letter received from Wendy Kelly of the Dairy Farmers of Saskatchewan.  It was agreed that APAS must determine the status of the review and the opportunity for further dialogue.  There must be discussion with DFS to ensure that APAS understands their perspectives.  Once next steps are known, there will be further discussion by the committee.                   

February 16, 2009 Minutes

Present:  Norm Hall, Charles Boser, Brian Snell, Don Connick, and Nial Kuyek

Committee Restructuring/Committee Issue Areas

General Manager Nial Kuyek commented on the rationale for the restructuring of the Committees and the issue areas that had been identified for the Environment and Food Safety Committee.

Election of Committee Chair

Norm Hall was elected Chair of the Environment and Food Safety Committee for 2009.

The Chairman reviewed notes of the last meeting of the Environment Committee and discussion followed on priority issues identified at that time.

Gophers

The Saskatchewan Agriculture announcement of December 11, 2009 that producers will continue to have access to two per cent liquid strychnine for 2009 largely addresses this issue.  This problem will require monitoring particularly in the south west.

Wild life – ingulates

It was agreed that APAS needs to continue to advocate full compensation for wildlife damage in the crop stage.  In addition, APAS should advocate compensation for post-harvest damage to stored grain, hay, shelter-belts, fences, and yard-sites.

BMPs – Health

Farmers are now exempt from regulations on fuel tanks on their farms.  APAS needs to determine if current regulations are being reviewed and what is being proposed for fuel tanks on farms.

Environmental Farm Plans

No funding was provided for the 2008-2009 fiscal year and the question is whether or not funding will be available in 2009-2010 through the environment pillar of the Growing Forward agreements.  This needs to be monitored.

Wild Boars

It was noted that a hunt program is to be organized to address this problem.

Paid Hunting

It was agreed that this should be discussed as part of ecological goods and services policy.

HOLOS

Norm Hall provided a demonstration of this computer program which calculates carbon emissions and credits on an individual farm basis.

Review of Saskatchewan Environment Regulations

The General Manager briefed the Committee on a review of Environment Regulations being undertaken by the provincial government and the involvement of APAS in initial consultations.  Mr. Kuyek indicated that there may be need for the Committee to become involved in further consultations.

Ecological Goods and Services Symposium

The General Manager reported on the Symposium being organized by APAS, SWF, and Ducks Unlimited to be held in the West Harvest Inn in Regina on March 25 and 26. 

It was agreed that all members of the Committee should attend as APAS representatives if their schedules permit.

Foresight Workshop on Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation in Agriculture

The General Manager reported that APAS has been invited to participate in this conference by AAFC and that AAFC will likely cover the costs of one participant from APAS.  It was agreed that the issues are priorities for agriculture and that Norm Hall should attend on behalf of APAS.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 24 at the APAS Regina Office.         

 

Foresight Workshop on Climate Change - March 11-13, 2009

Meeting Report by Norm Hall

Foresight Workshop on Climate Change, put on by Ag & Ag Food Canada Meeting Report

“Climate Change Mitigation: Tapping the Potential of Agriculture”

by Alexander Mueller, Wendy Mann and Leslie Lipper of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

IISD Reporting Services has published a guest article, “Climate Change Mitigation: Tapping the Potential of Agriculture” by Alexander Mueller, Wendy Mann and Leslie Lipper of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the most recent issue of “MEA Bulletin.”

 

The article can be found at http://www.iisd.ca/mea-l/guestarticle65.html and the entire issue of MEA Bulletin can be downloaded at http://www.iisd.ca/mea-l/meabulletin65.pdf