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News Release
For immediate release
March 8, 2005
FARMERS EXEMPT FROM FEES FOR WATER TAKING PERMITS
Government Exemption Supports Farmers
QUEEN’S PARK - The Ontario government is exempting farmers from the new administrative
fees for permit to take water applications, Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky
and Agriculture and Food Minister Steve Peters announced today.
“This government will continue to support Ontario farmers, while ensuring the
clean and stable water supplies that are so essential to our health and our communities,”
Dombrowsky said.
“Farmers have a very important role in our government’s efforts to protect Ontario’s
water resources through our nutrient management and source protection efforts.”
Most Ontario farmers do not require a permit at all — only those that draw
more than 50,000 litres of water a day need a permit to take water; however, they
will not have to pay an administrative fee. No permits are required for the direct
watering of livestock.
The fee exemption applies to water takings for irrigation and frost protection
for agricultural purposes including vegetable crops, fruit orchards, flowers,
nurseries, tree and sod farms, tender fruit and aquaculture (fish farming).
The exemption does not apply to agribusiness and food processing operations
including vegetable and fruit canning, processing, pickling, and beverage manufacturing,
wineries and bottled water.
Administrative fees for all other permit to take water applications are effective
April 1, 2005. The fees will cover the cost of processing, evaluating and issuing
the permit.
"We recognize farmers' enormous contribution to Ontario," Peters
said. "This exemption and the continued improvements to the program will
further strengthen our agricultural community."
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| Contacts: |
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Art Chamberlain
Minister’s Office
(416) 314-5139
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John Steele
Ministry of the Environment
(416) 314-6666 |
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