New London, PEI -
Pistol packing officers wearing bullet proof vests to investigate the whereabouts of an idle cow or the condition of a pesticide tank may be overkill.
At least that's the opinion of a number of farmers who lobbied for a resolution here Saturday (Jan. 30) to have the provincial government remove the right for environmental protection officers to bear arms while conducting investigations on (Prince Edward) Island farms.
"It's nothing but intimidation when they get out of the truck and walk up with guns and vests,'' insisted Indian River potato grower Kenny McLellan. "This isn't necessary; farmers are not a bunch of gun-toting thugs."
The issue was the most controversial resolution dealt with at the annual meeting of the PEI Federation of Agriculture here Saturday (Jan. 30) at the New London Community Centre.
Under the Environmental Protection Act, officers are allowed to be armed and wear vests while conducting their work. But while farmers welcome the objectives, they deplore the methods.
"I've never shot anyone yet who has come to my farm,'' joked apple grower Barry Balsom, who runs Arlington Orchards near Tyne Valley. "But I think if a protection officer ever feels threatened, it would be better to call for RCMP assistance before taking any further steps."
Farmers argued that while authorities require a warrant to search a private dwelling, there is no such requirement when it comes to farms and private property being explored by armed environmental officers wearing black uniforms.
Farmer Ray Arsenault said such equipment is for emergency purposes only.
"They don't want to pull their guns,'' insisted the former and retired RCMP officer. "But they don't know what to expect (when arriving on a farm to conduct an investigation)."
Farmers also requested more co-operation and less intimidation and encouraged appointments instead of officers showing up in the heat of the work day to check on an infraction.
A slight majority tabled the resolution back to the board of directors for further discussion.
