Remember the controversy regarding proposed Animal Waste Composting on a farm in Grindrod? Well, that project was rejected, but now the farm has been sold and there are renewed concerns regarding the possibility of a mega-feedlot and meet processing plant. Below is the recent article from the Okanagan Advertiser (we appreciate that they shared it with us), followed by a letter from the local group’s spokesperson, Sheldon Moore, that corrects some of the information in the newspaper article. You can also watch the CHBC news report on this issue by using this link: http://www.chbcnews.ca/video/slaughterhouse+fears/video.html?v=2213105444#stories
These are very serious concerns that demand attention. There is a potential for serious pollution of our precious Shuswap Watershed, at a time when we are finally making some progress to determine what has been the source of existing pollution through the SLIPP water quality monitoring program. The provincial government has reduced the regulations and control over not only mining, oil and gas, and logging; but also for agriculture. An it is the impact of industrial agriculture, such as the huge dairy farms that spread massive amounts of manure, that is likely having the greatest impact on the Shuswap watershed. Stay tuned, as this situation demands further attention and close scrutiny.
Grindrod slaughterhouse causes concerns
By Stacy Pavlov
Okanagan Advertiser
March 14, 2012
A 10,000 square foot beef slaughter facility in Grindrod has raised some concerns for residents neighbouring the facility.
“I thought this was a small family farm, but now it’s been sold to Blue Goose Cattle Company Ltd. and who knows how big it’s going to get,” said Sheldon Moore, who lives and runs a winery about two kilometres from the slaughterhouse.
Moore, who represents the Concerned Citizens of Enderby/Grindrod, believes the facility has the potential to grow to almost unlimited size due to what he calls a loophole in the Agricultural Land Commission farm act regulation 171, which doesn’t have a limit on the size of such a facility if it’s within the ALC.
But Dave Robertson, who sold the slaughterhouse property to Blue Goose, said there is no intention to expand the operation. “This facility is for our own capacity, our own product. We’ve never talked of an expansion,” assured Robertson, who is still a major shareholder of the facility.
Currently Robertson puts about 30 head of cattle a week through his farm, and has to send them to Salmon Arm to be processed. Having an in-house slaughter facility will make things more economical and create jobs for locals. “We’ll probably employ about six to eight guys anyway,” said Robertson, who still owns and lives on part of the property as he’s done for the past 50 years.
He doesn’t expect to process more than 50 head of cattle a week. “We’re not a mom and pop shop, but we’re not a conglomerate like Maple Leaf either. The cattle business is not something you can ramp up instantly. It takes years to grow the numbers.”
The size of the facility isn’t the only thing concerning Moore. He’s also worried about the wastewater management of the slaughterhouse, which is expected to be up and running this June. “The initial facility is already being erected without a proper waste water management plan submitted,” said Moore.
Robertson disagreed, and assured that water waste management permits are in place, even above current standards. He also said waste from the feed lot will be trucked to Alberta.
Area F North Okanagan Regional District director Jackie Pearase said that is looks as if Robertson and Blue Goose are compliant. “It looks like he’s allowed to do what he’s doing according to the approval from the Agricultural Land Commission.”
Rob Smailes, general manager of planning at RDNO, explained RDNO really can’t do much about the project as it falls under the ALC. “It frustrates the community, but as long as it’s located in the ALR and meets the requirements of the land commission, there’s not much we can do at our level,” said Smailes.
Dear concerned citizens,
The Concerned Citizens of Enderby/Grinrod would like to clarify a few points made in the recent article regarding the Grindrod Slaughterhouse facility.
Fact 1:
It was the local community that had to inform NORD, the ALC and the Ministry of the environment that this property change hands and was purchased by the Blue Goose Cattle Company Ltd on February 6, 2012. The acting architect of this facility is also the President of The Blue Goose Cattle Company Ltd., so this was likely never intended to be the small Robertson Farm facility from its inception. They should have informed all regulatory agencies of this change, but that did not happen for some reason.
Fact 2:
Dundee Corporation purchased Blue Goose Capital, who owns 100% of The Blue Goose Cattle Company Ltd. They purchased 700,000 deeded and un-deeded acres in this acquisition, so now we have a scenario were the produce (cattle) will descend on a 160 parcel in a sensitive watershed in the North Okanagan. Dundee Corporation is an investment company with over $700 million Cdn in annual sales. They invest in growth businesses and I strongly doubt they gave Dave Robertson enough shares for him to claim he is a majority shareholder. They will likely go head-to-head with the big players and they have the money to do it. I am certain they have big plans for this facility and at the minimum it needs to be regulated. This site borders the Enderby Cliffs National Park, so expect the view to change drastically. Let’s just be conservative and say they only produce 50 head per 1000 acres. That alone would produce 35,000 head of cattle per year. Under the lose regulations the ALC have they can also get 50% from external producers.
Fact 3:
Dave Robertson claimed in this article all the waste water permits are in place and exceed requirements. On the same day I received a call from the Ministry of Environment and no application has been submitted. Here we have a 10,000 sq/ft facility already erected and no waste water permit submitted. Do you think the local community should be concerned about this facility and the nature in which it has been rubber stamped through the system? There is a loophole in Regulation 171 and the ALC have the power to destroy communities at the stroke of a pen. The intention was to help a small farmer add value to his business. The intent was not to have the produce of 700,000 acres descend onto a tine 160 parcel in our community.
Fact 4:
This is not a small operation and needs to be reviewed properly in its true light. If anyone in this community has any doubts what this could become or do to the watershed in this area I strongly suggest you research Dundee Corporation and read about what has happened to the watershed north of Lethbridge from slaughter plants and feedlots. They now have to pay for their water to be hauled from the Rocky Mountains. The whole area got caught right in the middle of a huge feedlot expansion program and do you think the companies that did this are stepping up to the plate and helping with all these costs? This is not the kind of industry you want in a tourist rich zone. The entire site sits on sand and gravel and the underground aquifer and Lambert Creek are all less than 1km from the Shuswap River. Have a look at the video of what these facilities become.
http://www.doulton.ca/manure_pollu.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03tQOEX3iiA
I strongly urge more people to inform themselves and others about the real potential this facility has to become very large in amateur of months. I think it will destroy the North Okanagan brand as a premium tourist area overnight and open the doors for more facilities just like this. The local community has already stopped this from happening before, but we have something much larger lurking in our community now. Please become more aware to what is potentially coming to this community. Tell ten people in the community what is happening and you will help our cause.
Regards,
Sheldon Moore