Joe Schonberger July 13,…

Joe Schonberger

July 13, 2018.

Michele Doncaster, Policy Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Policy Division, Food Safety and Environmental Policy Branch, Land Use Policy Branch
1 Stone Road, Floor 3, Guelph, Ontario. N1G 4Y2
Phone: 519-826-4369. Fax: 519-826-3492.

Re: Agricultural Impact Assessment Guidance Document EBR #013-2454

Dear Ms Doncaster,
I am an independent commentator. All the words and ideas herein contained are my own and are not meant to be reflective of any organization or committee that I may now or ever have belonged to. I am a lifelong farmer who continues to be active in agriculture.
A Provincial Government that truly cared about agriculture would protect agricultural land throughout the Province and would not have engaged in piecemeal and divisive regional land use plans. We can only hope that the recently elected new Government realizes this and takes a much more inclusive “big picture” approach to agriculture in Ontario and repairs the damage done by a previous government.
The concept of agricultural impact assessments is a good one. There is no reason why steps should not be taken to make this mandatory throughout the province.
It is important that agricultural impact assessments actually protect farmland and, more importantly, the farmers who farm them. This process must not be subverted to become yet another paper work instrument that justifies development that is harmful to agriculture.
Qualified Professionals should have a background in rural planning and should be trained in bio-security practices and protocols.
It is hoped that this is helpful.
Yours truly,
Joe Schonberger.

Michele Doncaster
Policy Advisor
Ministry of Ag agriculture, Food and
Rural Affairs
Policy Division n
Food Safety and Environmental
Policy Branch
Land Use Policy Unit
1 Stone Road
Floor 3
Guelph Ontario
N1G 4Y2
Phone: (519) 826-4369
Fax: (519) 826-3492