For release: June 21, 2004

ADVISORY TEAM TO SAFEGUARD FARMING INTERESTS
Agricultural Advisory Team Recommended By Greenbelt Task Force

TORONTO - The Ontario government is appointing an Agricultural Advisory Team to ensure that Ontario’s growth management strategy addresses the concerns of agricultural stakeholders, Minister of Agriculture and Food Steve Peters announced today.

“Ontario is blessed with some of the most productive agricultural lands in the country,” said Peters. “This advisory team will help protect Ontario’s agricultural interests while furthering our government’s commitment to establish a greenbelt and build strong communities.”

Former federal agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief, and past chair of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario Bob Bedggood have agreed to provide ongoing advice as the government formulates its growth management strategy.

The Agricultural Advisory Team, a recommendation of the Greenbelt Task Force, will seek input on a variety of land use and planning issues from farmers and technical experts, including:

• land use planning policies that affect farm viability
• the Farm and Food Production Protection Act and Minimum Distance Separation formulae (a tool to determine the recommended distance between a livestock operation and another land use)
• the identification of areas of prime agricultural land
• the role of non-government land trusts and other organizations

The team will also suggest strategies to strengthen opportunities for agricultural activities in protected areas and may identify other, more complex agricultural land use planning issues to be addressed in the long term.

“The farming community makes a significant contribution to Ontario’s economic and social well-being,” Peters said. “The advice provided by these knowledgeable and respected members of the agricultural community will help us to ensure its continued strength.”

Contact:

Mary Devorski
Minister’s Office
416-326-3077
416-606-8303 (Mobile)

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