OFA Commentary: May 17, 2019
By Keith Currie, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
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Trespassing on farm property is a growing concern for Ontario farmers. From rural trail hikers detouring into a pasture to ATV drivers ruining crops, farmers have dealt with all types of unwanted visitors on the farm who leave varying degrees of damage. The latest threat to farmers, especially livestock farmers and transporters is the increasing risk of activists trespassing, invading, breaking into barns and harassing farmers, their families and employees.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is reminding all Ontario farmers to be aware of these ongoing threats and take precautions to prevent, or at least mitigate the consequences of any trespassers that threaten regular farm activities, farmers, their families or employees.
OFA is encouraging all farmers to be prepared for unwanted visitors on your farm by:

• Post No Trespassing signs and any necessary biosecurity signs to clearly mark private property.
• Lock all building doors and vehicles. Remove keys from tractors and equipment and store them somewhere safe.
• Monitor visitors and watch for suspicious vehicles or activities on or around farm property.
• Consider adding video surveillance to barns or high traffic areas of the farm.
• Train family and employees how to respond to unwanted visitors and situations that would require calling police.

OFA is working with our agricultural industry partners to raise awareness of this serious on-farm issue and lobby our provincial government to ensure the safety of Ontario’s farm families and their employees. We’re also asking for stronger enforcement of animal activists who are conducting these illegal and threatening activities. Farmers, their families and employees are becoming increasingly frightened and frustrated.
OFA reminds farmers to be prepared and call police if necessary. We’re all facing this threat of activists and trespassers together. And we’re asking farmers to add their voice to an online letter campaign that will send a letter directly to your MPP to register your concern for the growing threat of animal activism.
Add your voice today by visiting actnow.ofa.on.ca. Follow the simple instructions to sign your name to a letter that urges the provincial government to deliver better police protection and stronger enforcement against animal activists to ensure the safety of our farms, our families and our employees.
 
 
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For more information, contact:



Keith Currie
President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
705-441-3362

Neil Currie
General Manager

​May 2, 2019 (London) – Ontario farm groups strongly disagree with yesterday’s decision to drop charges against a well-known animal rights activist.
 
“Yesterday’s court decision negatively impacts all of Ontario agriculture,” said Keith Currie, President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture speaking on behalf of numerous farm organizations including Ontario Pork, Farm & Food Care Ontario, Turkey Farmers of Ontario, Egg Farmers of Ontario, Chicken Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Fur Breeders’ Association, Veal Farmers of Ontario and Ontario Sheep Farmers. 
 
“Our system of law and order is based on consequences for breaking the law.  Without meaningful prosecutions that act as a deterrent to future crimes, activists become bolder in their actions. They’re also fundraising through their illegal activities, thus profiting from breaking the law.”
 
In 2016 and 2017, the activist is alleged to have entered a hog barn near Lucan, Ont., on multiple occasions, without the knowledge of the property owners.  In 2018, she admitted in a media interview to recording video inside the barn on these occasions, and submitting it to various authorities for investigation. She also acknowledged taking two animals from the barn. She had been facing charges of break and enter, and mischief to property worth more than $5,000.
 
For many farm families in Canada, home and work are uniquely connected. Recent incursions by animal activists onto farms and into buildings clearly defined as private property violate the Trespass to Property Act, RSO 1990. These actions put the security of all involved at risk, including farmers and their families.
 
“For farmers and their families, having their homes and businesses invaded is deeply troubling – whether by large groups of protestors or stealth incursions at night,” said Eric Schwindt, chair of Ontario Pork. “It’s important to note that recent activist attempts to discredit farmers have resulted in no charges against the farms they targeted. For farmers, police and regulators, these incidents tie up vital resources that could be put to better use elsewhere.”
 
 
Ontario livestock farmers follow high standards of animal care. Those standards of care include biosecurity protocols designed to protect animals from disease. Anyone entering barns or farms, handling animals or moving between barns without following proper biosecurity protocols puts the health of animals, the safety of food and the livelihood of farmers at risk.
 
Farmers work closely with veterinarians, nutrition specialists, regulators and other experts to monitor and maintain the health and safety of their animals and property. There are clear protocols in place with the authorities to investigate and address concerns that are brought forward. Healthy, safe farms are important for the people who live and work there, as well as for animals and consumers.
 
Livestock groups and other farm organizations in Ontario will continue to work with each other, police and government to support the rights of farmers to protect their property from illegal activities.
 
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For further information:
 
Kelly Daynard
Executive Director, Farm & Food Care Ontario
T 519. 837.1326 extension 224
M 519. 993.8634
E kelly@farmfoodcare.org
www.FarmFoodCareON.org
 
Stacey Ash
Manager, Communications and Consumer Marketing
T  519.767.4609
M  519.820.3119
E  stacey.ash@ontariopork.on.ca
www.ontariopork.on.ca
 
Sent on behalf of:
Ontario Federation of Agriculture www.ofa.on.ca
Farm & Food Care Ontario www.FarmFoodCareON.org
Ontario Pork www.ontariopork.on.ca
Dairy Farmers of Ontario www.milk.org
Chicken Farmers of Ontario www.ontariochicken.ca
Turkey Farmers of Ontario  www.turkeyfarmers.on.ca
Egg Farmers of Ontario www.getcracking.ca
Ontario Sheep Farmers www.ontariosheep.org
Veal Farmers of Ontario www.ontarioveal.on.ca
Ontario Fur Breeders’ Association