News Release

OFVGA encourages farmers to check water-taking permit expiry dates

For immediate release

Guelph ON, November 15, 2010 – Farmers with permits to take water are being reminded to check the expiry date of their documents. The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA) is encouraging growers to review their paperwork this fall to ensure that their permits remain current or can be renewed prior to the start of the next growing season.

“It’s important for growers to ensure they keep their water taking permits current,” says Brian Gilroy, Chair of the OFVGA. “For some, it may have been a while since they had to go through an application or renewal process. It has changed considerably in the last several years, so it may take a bit of time to gather all of the required documentation.”

Horticulture and crop farmers who use more than 50,000 litres per water per day on their farm operations are required to hold a permit to take water, issued by the Ministry of the Environment. This includes activities such as irrigation or using wash water to clean vegetables before they are packed. 

Farmers who have no changes in crops or water usage and who renew their permits before they expire can complete a more streamlined renewal process. Anyone applying for a renewal on a permit to take water that has lapsed will be treated as a new applicant by the Ministry and may be subject to additional requirements and conditions.

Fruit and vegetable farmers with questions regarding their renewals are invited to contact George Shearer at the OFVGA office, a surface water scientist on the OFVGA staff who can assist growers with permit applications and renewals. George can be reached at 519-763-6160, ext 219 or water@ofvga.org. 

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association is the voice of Ontario’s 7,500 fruit, vegetable, and greenhouse producers on issues affecting the horticulture sector. Visit www.ofvga.org for more information.

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For more information:
Art Smith, CEO, 519-763-6160 or artsmith@ofvga.org