New bylaw strikes delicate balance


Langley township tries permits, fines and signs to avoid a complete ban on starling-startling farm cannons.


By Tamara Leigh F


romJuly to September, blueberry growers can be sure of two things – there will be


starlings and there will be complaints fromthe neighbours. The sound of the first cannon blast of the season can be like a starting pistol for complaints frompeople living near blueberry fields in the LowerMainland. The Township of Langley has passed


a bylaw to reduce conflicts between the public and growers using audible bird scare devices. The bylaw closely mirrors guidelines put forward by the Ministry of Agriculture, with two significant additions: permits and fines. “The bylaw was driven by people


who did not want cannons in Township of Langley,” says Bill Storie, manager of the township’s bylaw department. “Those that wanted a complete ban did not succeed in getting their wish. As a compromise, the township created this bylaw that somewhatmirrors the guidelines of theministry.” Under the new bylaw, growersmust


register any sound device with the Township of Langley and submit a birdmanagement plan. The permit costs $125 for each property. People who fail to comply with the bylaw will be fined $50 for the first infraction, $300 for the second, and $500 for every repeat offence after that. The third variance fromtheministry


of agriculture guidelines requires any grower within 100metres of a horse farmto notify the owners at the beginning of the season that they will be using a sound device. B.C. Blueberry Council executive


director, Debbie Etsell, is sympathetic to the need for the bylaw, recognizing thatmunicipalities should have the ability to deal with non-complying growers, but she is concerned about a part of the bylaw that requires growers


violations, the Township of Langley is still working with the blueberry council’s grower liaison, NazamDulat. “It’s all we’re doing right now,” said


Etsell, referring to the work Dulat does with growers to reduce conflicts with neighbours andmunicipalities. “There are a few growers who are


not compliant who havemade quite a spectacle. It builds animosity to the whole industry, when themajority of growers are compliant and working with a birdmanagement plan, not just a cannon in a field with a timer.” So far the Township of Langley has


to post signs on properties with sound devices. However, she notes the bylaw sets a


precedent for farming because of its requirement that there be signage for a farmpractice. “It sets us apart. I amconcerned


about other agricultural industries too —do we have to start registering every practice thatmay offend people?” The Township of Langley


acknowledges the requirement for signs was a sensitive part of the bylaw. “We were very careful about privacy


laws,” said Storie. “It will look almost like a building permit – just the address and registration number, no name, no phone number.” While the new bylaw empowers enforcement officers to deal with


had a good response fromblueberry growers in the area, due in part to the support and information provided to growers through the B.C. Blueberry Council. “We have always tried to look for


voluntary compliance,” explained Storie. “There’s a select group of people watching for people tomake mistakes, and we send a letter and package to owners of properties who do not have permits when there is a complaint. So far everyone we have sent out to has come in and registered. Hopefully by next year we’ll have 100 percent compliance.” Plans for bylaws in other


municipalities are also underway. In Abbotsford, an earlier attempt to ban noise devices completely was rejected. They are currently in the process of drafting a bylaw that also ismore closely aligned with the guidelines provided by theMinistry of Agriculture.


New product registered as bird deterrent Canadian berry growers have access to a new product to help control


birds in their crops. Migrate™ is a microencapsulated formulation of methyl anthranilate produced by Rejexit, and used for the non-lethal control of birds.


Methyl anthranilate is an additive to foods, food flavours, and


fragrances and is used as a flavoring agent in beverages, ice creams, candy, gelatins, puddings and chewing gum. The product may be used on blueberries, cherries and grapes to limit damage to ripening berries by birds.


The product is a taste repellent, making treated food unpalatable to


birds, and forcing them to feed elsewhere. It does not affect humans or other animals. The product has a slightly sweet, grape scent and flavour, but may be applied up to the day before harvest, particularly with blueberries.


— Tamara Leigh British Columbia Berry Grower • Fall 2013 7


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