Groups appeal to carriers to bring donated hay to farmers

OTTAWA (Sept. 4, 2002) — Haywest, an organization that is gathering donated hay for drought-stricken farmers in Alberta and Saskatchewan, is looking for truck operators to help move hay from farms to the railhead, and from the railhead out west.

Haywest 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, according to the Ontario Trucking Association. The association said fumigation is required to prevent the spread of the cereal leaf beetle, a pest which could have serious consequences for Prairie farmers. The Canadian Food inspection Agency (CFIA) has played a role by arranging for the fumigation of the donated hay.

Haywest is funded through private donations and a $150,000 grant from the federal government.

For information, contact Pierre Brodeur at Haywest at 1-866/429-9378 or 819/243-3966. For details about fumigation requirements, contact Stephen Anderson of the Ontario Trucking Association at 416/249-7401 or stephen.anderson@ontruck.org