Following a Massive Fire in Tecumseh, Agriculture Minister Tours the Site

Jul 22, 2014

Ontario’s Agriculture Minister, Jeff Leal, toured the Bonduelle plant Tuesday, after a massive fire broke out Friday, destroying much of the warehouses at the food processing facility, located east of Windsor, ON. However, the production and canning facilities were untouched.

The minister visited the fire ravaged site accompanied by Mayor Gary McNamara. Following the excursion, the minister offered remarks at a media conference at Tecumseh Town Hall.

“My thoughts are with all those affected by the terrible fire at Bonduelle,” he said.

Leal offered assurance that the province would provide assistance to help rebuild. “Our government remains committed to working with the company during this difficult time.” McNamara was quoted saying that he has already spoken to Premier Kathleen Wynne about plans to rebuild, and is encouraged by the province’s willingness to step up and offer support.

The province has not received any requests for financial support, Leal told reporters. “If they’d like to come forward with a proposal we would of course review it,” he explained. But the company has said that they are in a good position financially with private insurance.

Bonduelle is making plans to redirect some crops to its facilities located in other parts of Ontario, including one in Ingersoll, ON.

“It is my understanding that there will be no losses for farmers,” said Leal.

The cause of the fire is unknown, but plant officials speculate that it was likely an electrical problem. While an estimate of the damage has not yet been determined, the company said that approximately 4.5 million kilograms of frozen vegetables were destroyed.

(Contributed photo: Minister Leal surveying damage at the Bonduelle foods plant in Techumseh, Ont.)

Video: How farmers are protecting the soil and our food security | DW Documentary

For a long time, soil was all but ignored. But for years, the valuable humus layer has been thinning. Farmers in Brandenburg are clearly feeling the effects of this on their sandy fields. Many are now taking steps to prepare their farms for the future.

Years of drought, record rainfall and failed harvests: we are becoming increasingly aware of how sensitively our environment reacts to extreme weather conditions. Farmers' livelihoods are at stake. So is the ability of consumers to afford food.

For a few years now, agriculture that focuses solely on maximum yields has been regarded with increasing skepticism. It is becoming more and more clear just how dependent we are on healthy soils.

Brandenburg is the federal state with the worst soil quality in Germany. The already thin, fertile humus layer has been shrinking for decades. Researchers and farmers who are keen to experiment are combating these developments and looking for solutions. Priority is being given to building up the humus layer, which consists of microorganisms and fungi, as well as springtails, small worms and centipedes.

For Lena and Philipp Adler, two young vegetable farmers, the tiny soil creatures are invaluable helpers. On their three-hectare organic farm, they rely on simple, mechanical weed control, fallow areas where the soil can recover, and diversity. Conventional farmer Mark Dümichen also does everything he can to protect soil life on his land. For years, he has not tilled the soil after the harvest and sows directly into the field. His yields have stabilized since he began to work this way.

Isabella Krause from Regionalwert AG Berlin-Brandenburg is convinced after the experiences of the last hot summers that new crops will thrive on Brandenburg's fields in the long term. She has founded a network of farmers who are promoting the cultivation of chickpeas with support from the scientific community.