Some might say Greater Napanee council ‘chickened out’ when it opted not to allow backyard poultry in the urban portion of town.
While it certainly wasn’t a popular answer, council’s decision to put a pin in the matter certainly has merit. Avian flu is a very real concern and council’s decision to err on the side of caution is at the very least, understandable.
Heading into the April 11 meeting it was looking like it would be good news for would-be chicken tenders seeking the green light to house backyard hens. Indeed it appeared town staff was thinking along those lines, as indicated by town clerk Jessica Walters. When the matter came up on the agenda she read the staff recommendation, suggesting that the by-law preventing backyard chickens could be lifted on a trial basis and they could adapt regulations from neighbouring communities. She also cautioned that enforcing the new by-law regulations would require staff resources.
All of that became moot when councillor Mike Schenk raised his concerns about the bird born virus. Deputy mayor Brian Calver shared those concerns, citing reports of communities across Ontario urging residents to take extreme caution to prevent the spread of avian flu. Schenk’s farming background allowed him to speak with experts in the field and provided some important background information on the subject. After showing such strong support for the matter at the previous meeting, his reluctance to support it at the most recent one was a surprise, at least initially. As he explained his reasoning however it became clear where he was coming from.
Given all that’s gone on in the last three years, it’s easy to understand the abundance of caution surrounding a virus. At the very same time, it’s just as understandable why people are sick (no pun intended) of being limited in the things they can or can’t do because of a virus. A different virus, but never the less, the same general idea.
The benefits of backyard chickens have been stated and re-stated-and they remain just as accurate as they did when the issue was first brought to the table. With the rising cost of groceries everyone is on the hunt for ways to become more self-sufficient. Then there’s the added benefit of having control over where food comes from, free of chemicals and preservatives. And none of that even mentions the fact that raising a small flock of chickens is just plain fun. It’s great entertainment and can be a great way to teach kids the responsibilities of pet ownership.
It’s for those reasons, and a whole host more, that we hope this latest development is just a small setback for residents looking to get a flock of their own. Council did stipulate that they would re-examine the matter come the fall. Discouraged as those hoping to get into the backyard egg business this summer may be, the door hasn’t been completely closed on the issue. Hopefully they’ll bring the issue back to council in September and will get the answer they seek.
-Adam Prudhomme