INDEX PCB Digest - 6/26/02
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1) Copy of Parmalat Letter - 6//7/02
2) News Release - 6/26/02
DAVID RAMSAY, M.P.P. TIMISKAMING-COCHRANE
3) Public Concern Temiskaming - For Immediate Release - 6/26/02
Dairy Industry Hangs in Balance Over EA Process for PCBs �
Liberal MPP
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1) Copy of Parmalat Letter - 6//7/02
parmalat
June 7, 2002
Mr. David Ramsay, M.P.P.
416 Main Legislative Building
Queen�s Park
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1A4
Dear Mr. Ramsay:
We acknowledge receipt of and thank you for your letter of April 2nd, 2002 informing us of the Kirkland Lake PCB incinerator project.
We apologize for the delay in replying to your request but we seemed to have misplace your document. In answer to your question, Parmalat Canada cannot give assurance that we would be willing to continue to purchase milk in the Timiskaming District following the implementation of such a facility. If scientific proof were given by Bennett Environmental that there was no impact of their project on agriculture in the area, we would consider accepting milk from that area only in as much and for so long as there was no pressure from our consummers and customers.
You are right in saying that perception can be as damaging as reality on issues of food safety. Therefore, any concern from the population would force us in refusing delivery of the milk and in asking the Dairy Farmers of Ontario organization (DFO) to replace that volume to us by milk produced in other areas. I suggest you contact Mr. Peter Gould at the DFO (905) 821-8970 as this situation must be of the highest interest to them as they are the ones who guarantee the quality of milk delivered to us processors.
If you wish to further discuss do not hesitate to contact me at (416) 620-3660.
Sincerely,
Robert Poirier
Sr. Vice President
Operations
c.c. Peter Gould -DFO
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2) News Release - 6/26/02
DAVID RAMSAY, M.P.P. TIMISKAMING-COCHRANE
Room 416, Legislative Building, Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A4 (416) 325-7137
For immediate release - June 26, 2002
Today in the Legislature, David Ramsay, M.P.P. Timiskaming-Cochrane released a letter received from Parmalat Canada that stated they could not give assurance that they would continue to purchase milk produced in Timiskaming District if the Ontario Government approves the construction of a PCB incinerator in Kirkland Lake.
After giving the government 10 days notice of this serious threat to Timiskaming agriculture, Mr. Ramsay asked Premier Eves if he would put a stop to the PCB proposal.
In referring the question to the Minister of Environment and Energy, Chris Stockwell responded that the people of Ontario should have faith in the Environmental Assessment process.
Mr. Ramsay reminded the Minister that Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA), 2 weeks ago, issued a scathing report that stated "the EA process in this province is a hollow shell of what it was and what it should be.
Mr. Ramsay asked the minister how he could ask the people of Ontario to trust the gutted EA process to protect our food supply when his government's processes have so tragically failed to protect our water supply.
"The government has the power and the obligation to step in now to protect Northern agriculture and the safety of Ontario's food supply,� said Mr. Ramsay.
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3) Public Concern Temiskaming - Press Release - 6/26/02
For Immediate Release - June 26, 2002
Dairy Industry Hangs in Balance Over EA Process for PCBs �
Liberal MPP
Kirkland Lake �-One of Ontario�s richest dairy-producing regions could end up as collateral damage in the limited assessment being carried out on a controversial toxic incinerator. Parmalat Canada has stated (in a letter to MPP David Ramsay) that if any doubts arise over the quality of milk produced near the proposed Bennett incinerator, the company would suspend its contracts with the dairy region � in effect, wiping out a $100 million a year agricultural industry.
The shocking news was announced in the Ontario legislature today. It confirms the worst fears of Temiskaming residents concerned about the implications of a narrowly scoped EA into toxic import and burning plans for Temiskaming.
�This letter proves that burning dioxin is absolutely incompatible with a food producing area,� says Barb Bukowski, a spokesman for Public Concern Temiskaming. �It�s non-negotiable. It�s black and white. You can�t have a toxic waste industry in a thriving agricultural region.�
Temiskaming is the only growing agricultural district in Ontario. The mainstay of the economy is the powerful dairy industry which is dependent on contracts with international milk giant Parmalat.
�The Ontario government is playing dice with peoples� livelihoods,� says Bukowski. �This region has based its future on the quality of its agricultural products. And yet, the MOE process is so limited there is no guarantee agriculture will be protected from the burning of U.S. toxic waste.�
Parmalat representatives have stated that even if the incinerator were safe, public perception would be enough to have the company cut their contracts with the Temiskaming dairy industry. Bukowski says the fundamental issue is public confidence in the gutted Ontario EA process.
�If this issue arose prior to 1996, I doubt the public would second-guess an MOE review,� says Bukowski. �But the present EA is a farce. There is no guarantee of public hearings. The process has become little more than a company-driven review.�
Environment Minister Chris Stockwell has stated that he hopes the region will become a �mecca� for incineration and waste imports.
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