A Food Policy for Nova Scotia?

From the Valley-Lois

NOVA SCOTIA FARMLAND REZONED FOR DEVELOPMENT – February 1, 2011



On February 1st, Kings County Councillors voted 6 to 5 in favour of destroying 380 acres of farmland in Greenwich of the Annapolis Valley. Media attention is indicating that our Provincially-elected leaders "will likely not be intervening" in this vitally important rezoning Issue!



WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!



The loss of farmland in the Valley is not only a local matter. It is a Provincial issue. All Nova Scotians should have the option of buying locally-produced food. We must demand that the Province, who will be making a final decision within the next 30 -60 days on this rezoning, reject it and, instead, establish a strong policy to protect our farmland and our food security. Now is your chance to make a real difference or these rezoning requests for destroying our farmland will never end.



The Province needs to hear from lots of citizens on this issue. Send a strong message and please do it soon.



Here are some key points to make:



Ask that your government establish a Food Policy for Nova Scotians so that your food security is protected.



Demand that locally-grown foods be more readily available to all citizens, rural and urban.



Demand the rejection of the Greenwich rezoning amendments because this loss to our irreplaceable rural infrastructure- needed to produce healthful, local foods - is not acceptable.



Demand that your government adopt the recommendations of the Agricultural Land Review Committee and establish a Farmland Preservation Policy for Nova Scotia immediately.



Remind the Province that sustainable rural communities provide opportunities for long-term "green jobs" for a new generation of farmers.



WHO YOU CAN WRITE TO: (Please send a copy of your letter to each contact listed below including your own area MLA). Consider sending us a copy.



Premier Darrell Dexter

(email) premier@gov.ns.ca

(mailing) Office of the Premier, P.O. Box 726, Halifax N.S. B3J 2T3



Minister John MacDonell, Dept of Agriculture and Municipal Affairs

(email) MIN_DAG@gov.ns.ca and SNSMRMIN@gov.ns.ca

(mailing) P.O. Box 2223, Halifax, N.S. B3J 3C4



Deputy Minister Richard Williams, Office of Policy & Priorities

(email) williarm@gov.ns.ca

(mailing) 1700 Granville Street, 3rd Floor, One Government Place, Halifax,

N.S. B3J 1X5



Minister Stirling Belliveau, Department of Environment

(email) min_env@gov.ns.ca

(mailing) P.O. Box 442, Halifax, N.S. B3J 2P8



Minister Percy Paris, Dept. of Economic & Rural Development and Tourism

(email) econmin@gov.ns.ca

(mailing) Centennial Building, 1660 Hollis Street, P.O. Box 2311, Halifax,

N.S. B3J 3C8



Minister Charlie Parker, Department of Natural Resources

(email) min_dnr@gov.ns.ca

(mailing) 3rd Floor, Founder's Square, 1701 Hollis Street, Halifax, N.S.

B3J 2T9



Beth Densmore, President of N.S. Federation of Agriculture

(email) bdensmore@nsfa-fane.ca

(mailing) 332 Willow Street, Truro, N.S. B2N 5A5




Contact for your MLA:



See: http://nslegislature.ca/index.php/people/members/




What Councillors voted in favour of supporting:



Ø The removal of 380 acres of farmland in Greenwich for comprehensive residential and commercial development;

Ø The creation of another unnecessary "growth centre" in Kings County.



They did so despite:



v Never proving that any demand for such growth and development in Greenwich exists;

v Greenwich being one of the most successful agri-tourism destinations in the Province;

v There being thousands of available lots elsewhere in the county that are better suited for development without destroying farmland;

v Young farmers telling them that it is virtually impossible to locate fertile, affordable land to farm in Kings County;

v Noggins Corner Farm and Cosman & Whidden Honey expressing deep concerns that their businesses may be seriously jeopardized should development occur next to them in Greenwich;

v Overwhelming opposition to this rezoning proposal and demand for protection of farmland.



For more information: www.nofarmsnofood.ca

Contact us at: nofarmsnofood@gmail.com