Urgent Appeal – Carriers Needed to Help Move Hay to Drought-Stricken Farmers in Prairie Provinces

September 6, 2002

Hay West, an organization that is gathering donated hay and organizing its shipment to drought-stricken farmers in Alberta and Saskatchewan, is looking for carriers that are interested in helping with transportation. Hay West is also seeking donations of fuel and other supplies.

So far, almost 200 rail car shipments have been sent and Hay West has pledges enough to fill another 400. Carriers planning to help should be aware that fumigation is required to kill cereal leaf beetle, a pest which could have serious consequences for Prairie farmers if it spread from the East to the West. They must also obtain a “Movement Certificate”. Penalties for failing to comply are fairly severe.The Canadian Food inspection Agency (CFIA) has played a role by arranging for the fumigation of the donated hay.

If you would like to help, please contact Pierre Brodeur at Hay West at 1-866-429-9378 or 1-819-243-3966. For information on fumigation requirements, please contact OTA’s Stephen Anderson at 416-249-7401 or stephen.anderson@ontruck.org