DECEMBER 12, 2000
ALBERTA CITIZENS FIGHT HOG BARNS AND THEIR OWN GOVERNMENTS ALL THE WAY TO THE COURT OF APPEAL
SASKATOON, Sask.--"The governments of Alberta, Provincial and Municipal alike, need to take a reality check and get on side with their citizens," said NFU member and Ferintosh-area farmer Dale Fankhanel.
Fankhanel was commenting on the November 27th decision by the Flagstaff County Development Appeal Board to allow a Taiwanese corporation to build a 150,000 hog-per-year mega-barn complex and subsequent actions by the provincial government paving the way for the corporate hog factory.
Few dispute that the overwhelming majority of area citizens oppose the project. Many have banded together to form the Flagstaff Family Farm Protection Society (FFFPS).
"The ink was barely dry on the Appeal Board decision against the people of the County when the mighty Klein government moved the next day to pass an Order in Council to allow the sale of land to the Taiwanese corporation for its hog factory complex," said Fankhanel.
"It's a huge emotional blow when you are ruled against by the very people you elected to stand up for you. It's bad enough to get beat up emotionally, but you also get beat up financially with huge legal bills," said Fankhannel.
"However, in the fight between David and Goliath, David won. Citizens are keeping this in mind as they plan their next move. The FFFPS filled the Bellsville Hall, 20 miles East of Forestburg, and those present agreed unanimously to take the case to the Alberta Court of Appeal. The question the FFFPS wants the court to decide is: Should the citizens of Flaggstaff County be forced to bear the stench, flies, health issues, and possible water and ground contamination with all benefits going to a foreign corporation and a few greedy residents?" he asked.
Fankhanel concluded: "I think it will be a very difficult decision for the Provincial Court Judges to rule against the Klein government. We may get a chance to see if there is any justice left in the country."
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For More Information:
Dale Fankhanel, NFU Alberta Member: (780) 877-2280
Darrin Qualman, Executive Secretary: (306) 652-9465