Ministry of Agriculture
Audible Bird Scare Devices in BC
Audible Bird Scare Devices (including propane cannons) are a non-lethal tool used by farmers to minimize bird predation on crops. These devices emit a loud noise that frightens birds away from the crop. The use of audible bird scare devices to protect crops is a common practice in blueberries, cherries and grapes.
The use of these devices has resulted in noise complaints from neighbours. As a result the Ministry and others have studied the issue and some of the information is presented here. A key 2009 report by the British Columbia Farm Industry Review Board "Review of the use and Regulation of Propane Cannons in the South Coastal Region" is the basis for the current regulation of propane cannons.
MINISTER's MESSAGE
Agriculture is an important contributor to British Columbia’s economy. Farming diversifies the local economies and increases economic stability. The agriculture industry creates jobs and increases the standard of living in a community and produces high quality, locally available food for the citizens of BC.
British Columbia has its population concentrated in two areas of the province; the Okanagan-Shuswap-Thompson area and Lower Mainland-South Eastern Vancouver Island. These two areas contain 2.7% of the land base and over 80% of the population and over 80% of the farm gate receipts. Our most intensive farming is happening in the same area where most British Columbians live. There are more non-farm residents living in the Agricultural Land Reserve than farmers.
Farms come with disturbances such as odour, noise, and dust. With the close proximity between farms and urban areas there is a greater potential for complaints regarding farm practices. In addressing these issues, there needs to be a balance between farming and non-farming interests while recognizing that the the ALR is an area where the priority use is farming and non-farming activities are controlled. Key to this balance is neighbours respecting their neighbours.
MINISTRY GUIDELINES
The use of propane cannons is one of a number of actions available to protect crops in the lower mainland. It is a longstanding issue that is well studied most recently in regard to farming activities in the lower mainland. These same recommendations and actions would be helpful in other areas, as well.
In 2009, the BCFIRB issued a report Review of the Use and Regulation of Propane Cannons in the South Coastal Region, on the topic. Key findings of the report are:
- That the issue of noise from propane cannons is best addressed at the local rather than provincial level.
- Local governments have existing tools to regulate the use of propane cannons.
- Local governments should employ the various tools available to them to solve the issue rather than moving immediately to a request to ban propane cannons in their community.
To address the particular issue of the use of audible bird scare devices (ABSD) for crop protection the Ministry has established guidelines for their use. These guidelines provide practical steps and practices which, if implemented consistently by all farmer, have been shown to minimize disturbances at the farm level. In addition; land use planning at the community level is key to promoting land use compatibility especially along the urban residential/ALR edges.
The guidelines are set out in a number of farm practice factsheets describing practices which are considered proper and accepted in farming areas. The use of audible bird scare devices in various areas of the province is set out on page 3 of the following factsheets.
These factsheets are part of the BC Farm Practice Reference Guide 
The Reference Guide also contains a general factsheet on Noise
Audible bird scare devices are not the only control method available to farmers. Farmers are encouraged to take an integrated approach to bird control on their farms and maximize the effectiveness of control measures by planning carefully. The following factsheet is designed for blueberry growers using audible bird scare devices.
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Netting is another option for bird control. The following factsheets are written to assist in making a decision on netting from a financial standpoint. | |||
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Blueberries | - A Decision Making Guide | ||
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Cherries | - A Decision Making Guide | ||
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Grapes | - A Decision Making Guide | ||
REGISTERING CONCERNS OR COMPLAINTS
The vast majority of crops vulnerable to bird predation are grown successfully using one or more of the control practices available including audible bird scare devices. In a few cases, the farm practices lead to complaints. If you have such a complaint there are several options available to you.
Lower Mainland Blueberry Grower Liaison Officer
In the Lower Mainland of BC, if you believe blueberry farmers are not following the guidelines, then you may wish to contact Nazam Dulat (778-549-0712), Grower Liaison Officer of the British Columbia Blueberry Council who will investigate the complaint and attempt to resolve the issue.
Local Government Bylaw Enforcement
Local government bylaw enforcement may also address the concern and is a good place to start. There are several tools for addressing bird scare device complaints available to local governments across the province. These are set out below.
In the lower mainland, Pitt Meadows handles the complaints directly. Other lower mainland governments will direct initial complaints to the BC Blueberry Council for resolution as a first step.
Ministry of Agriculture Staff
Ministry staff are also available to address concerns about farm practices. For the Metro Vancouver or Lower Fraser Valley telephone the Abbotsford office 604 556-3001 (toll free 1-888-221-7141). For the Okanagan Valley please telephone the Kelowna office 250 861-7211 (toll free 1-888-332-3352). Contact Ministry offices regarding farm complaints in other areas.
Farm Industry Review Board (FIRB)
At any time you may also file a formal complaint with the British Columbia Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB) in Victoria, telephone (250) 356-8945. The Board has the mandate under the Farm Practices Protection (Right To Farm) Act to determine if the farm operation is following “normal farm practice” and whether the practice is protected under the Act. Information on how to file a complaint can be found on the BCFIRB website.
Farm Practice Complaints, BCFIRB
Practice Protection (Right to Farm) Act
The regulation of the use of audible bird scare devices is explained in the May 2009 report by the BC Farm Industry Review Board listed below (refer to section 8.0 on pages 38-47).
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OPTIONS FOR REGULATING AUDIBLE BIRD SCARE DEVICES
The 2009 FIRB report on the use of propane cannons pointed out that conflict can be avoided by the use of planning initiatives and tools such as those included in the Edge Planning process as a way to improve compatibility between farm and urban land uses. Existing issues can be effectively addressed locally by an Agricultural Advisory Committee with broad representation from the local agricultural industry and refer this issue to them for their study and recommendations.
It also recommended that local governments should not pursue a ban on propane cannons for their jurisdiction until they have exhausted all other available means for managing cannon conflicts in their community, including each of the recommendations pertaining to local governments in the 2009 report.
Options for Local Government to Regulate Audible Bird Scare Devices
Local governments have a number of options available right now to manage this issue Here is a roadmap of possibilities in order of increasing regulation:
- Provide bylaw enforcement using the existing noise bylaw where growers are not following the Wildlife Damage Control guidelines published by the Ministry of Agriculture. (Note: Local governments in the Lower Fraser Valley may continue to refer complainants to the BCBC when the noise complaints are regarding a blueberry farm.)
- Incorporate the Wildlife Damage Control guidelines into their noise bylaw and provide bylaw enforcement where growers are not following the Wildlife Damage Control guidelines published by the Ministry of Agriculture. (Referral of complainants to BCBC is still an option.)
Model Noise Bylaw South Coastal BC
Model Noise Bylaw Interior BC
- Adopt a “farm bylaw” Guide for Bylaw Development in Farming Areas (Part C, Section 9) as a regulated local government under the Local Government Act with the option of including more restrictions than are contained in the Wildlife Damage Control guidelines subject to ministerial approval. Farmers are expected to follow the farm bylaw as part of land use regulation under the Farm Practices Protection Act. Regulated local governments may use edge planning tools (found in the Guide to Edge Planning) on both sides of the Urban/ALR Edge to promote land use compatibility. (Referral of complainants to BCBC is still an option.)
Local government bylaw enforcement can readily enforce elements of the Wildlife Damage Control guidelines where there are objective measurements such as:
- Hours of use of devices
- Separation distance to a neighbouring residence
- Density of devices
- Firing frequency of devices
- Whether a Bird Management Plan exists
By having the Wildlife Damage Control guidelines written into the noise bylaw, it makes it clearer to the farmer that non-compliance is subject to bylaw enforcement. By including the criteria in a “farm bylaw”, the bylaw becomes part of land use regulation and must be followed as part of “normal farm practice” under the Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act.
The more subjective elements of the Wildlife Damage Control guidelines are more difficult for local government bylaw enforcement to interpret and may be more suited to be submitted to resolution through a formal complaint. BCFIRB's process can investigate and determine whether these practices are considered "normal farm practice" under the FPPA. Examples of these criteria are:
- Should use devices only as outlined in the Bird Predation Management Plan
- Operate cannons only when bird pressure is sufficient to justify propane cannon use
- Cannons are used in a manner to minimize both device use and bird habituation to devices.
Local government bylaw enforcement can provide timely compliance tools and address repeated offences of the objective measures by providing a financial penalty for non-compliance. BCFIRB decisions can effectively address the more subjective measures by removing the “Right to Farm” defense where farmers are using the devices improperly.
Please contact your Regional Agrologist with the Ministry of Agriculture for further information. Contact information is provided on the Ministry website.
Abbotsford 604 556-3001
Kelowna 250 861-7211
Other Ministry Offices
STUDIES ON CANNON USE AND NOISE ISSUE
The issue of noise from propane cannons, one of the audible bird scare devices used by farmers, has been studied over the years with several reports:
British Columbia Farm Industry Review Board – May 2009 |
Ministry report to the Minister – February 2002 |
Farm Practices Board – May 1999 |
OTHER INFORMATION
The Ministry co-funded a study of the efficacy of bird scare devices with the Fraser Valley Regional District. The study included a propane cannon, electronic bird call device and hawk kite together with control sites.
In addition, the Ministry and the Fraser Valley Regional District co-funded a study on the socio-economic impacts of propane cannons.
The Socio-Economic Impacts of Propane Cannons on Residents in the Fraser Valley |
The BC Blueberry Council and the BC Milk Producers Association funded the following study together with the Developing Innovative Agri-Products Program under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The study addresses starling populations in British Columbia and the feasibility of a trapping program in the Lower Mainland.