By Michael Smith (Veshengro)
What on earth is happening with councils and such like, wishing to sue people for growing food? Has the world gone mad?
Lantzville farm before and after image - Image: Dirk Becker
Only recently we heard about the story of a woman in Michigan who is facing jail time for planting a garden and, many of us, I am sure, may have thought that that was just an exception. Alas this does not appear to be the case.
Sadly, this type of heavy-handed by-the-letter enforcement of bylaws exists at the same time as people embrace urban agriculture as a viable source of high quality nutrition.
A man in Lanztville, British Columbia is facing a similar battle with the local government after converting his 2.5 acre "residential" lot from a gravel pit into a thriving organic farm. His refusal to "cease all agricultural activity" could land him six months in jail. And this is total and utter idiocy. But, then again, many local authorities seem to act in such a stupid manner.
Acting on a single complaint from a disgruntled neighbor the regional district sent a letter to Dirk Becker giving him 14 days to "remove the piles of soil and manure from the property." The quoted bylaw states that property owners will ensure their property doesn't become or remain "unsightly". Specifically this refers to "the accumulation of filth, discarded materials or rubbish, which includes unused or stripped automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, vessels, machinery, mechanical or metal parts." Admittedly, it can be argued that, to some a manure pile could be considered "filth". But, considering how Becker regenerated his 2.5 acres this characterization is an insult.
From these matters that have come to light recently the world seem to be going mad and that at a time when we need more people – in fact everyone of us – growing as much food as possible for personal use and even for passing on to others, by barter or sale.
Food security is what is at stake but our governments do not seem to understand this.
© 2011
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→British Columbia man faces six months in jail for growing food
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