NOTE: Updates have been posted below, including the tally.
I need your help, because they need your help. Please read this whole story and consider if you can help. WUWT readers may recall this story: Death of a Feedlot Operator …in which the anal-retentive government of West Australia has “licensed” a family farm out of operation due to some shonky science and arbitrary application of the “sniff test”. Yes that’s right, cattle farms smell, so do pig farms, as does any farm. But now it’s reason to shut one out due to baseless complaints from the local greens. And, it all started when Matt Thompson started doubting global warming and talking about it publicly.
I’ve never made a plea to the WUWT worldwide readership for help, I’m making one now to donate to these people to stave off eviction. If nothing else, do it to spite the government of Western Australia and the greens (Environmental Defender’s Office WA) that have turned farming into a “crime”. The real crime is that government listens to these hotheads. From Jo Nova’s website:
4 days notice! The Thompsons are served notice of eviction.
Will, Abbey, Janet, Luke, Matt and Kate on their farm. April 2010
From Agmates (and many emails), news comes that The National Bank served notice today that the Thompsons have to be off their property in four days.
This is a family with four young children, who ran a profitable business; they filled in every form and ticked every box. They have broken no laws, and there are no outstanding environmental notices, but yet, they came to Western Australia with their life savings and they are losing everything. (Note: Matt and Janet are from the USA, Hugo, Oklahoma – Anthony)
Don’t bring your investment dollars to Western Australia — not while the Department of the Environment effectively controls the state.
The Thompsons waited a full year to get Works Approval for a 15,000 head feedlot. After they had already committed the capital, the rules kept shifting. They discovered they’d need ongoing licenses as well. After several years of ramping up the capacity on these licenses, things changed. Matt spoke out as a skeptic. About that time, the renewals were delayed, then the numbers were cut in half, and new conditions were added that were impossible to meet. To feed and supply water for thousands of cattle the Thompsons had to sign agreements in advance to pay for hundreds of thousands of dollars of goods they could not use, but had no way of knowing that at the time. When they appealed, it took 18 months to get “vindicated” but by then there was only six months left on the “two year” license. Not enough to set up all the contracts and run a business. The new sub-clauses meant that even licenses for a qualified “10,000″ head had vague untestable conditions: the license you have when you don’t have a license.
I am ashamed of what our government has done.
If the media won’t cover this, shame on them too.
I’ve written before in more detail:
Tyranny: How to destroy a business with environmental red tape
Smell that evidence
There is much discussion on Agmates, and a call for donations (see below):
URGENT HELP – Thompson family in trouble
NAB had not long ago told Matt & Janet that they were not going to move on them before December 31st. But it appears that they have changed their mind.
Those familar with previous discussions on Agmates will know that the Thompson family have no funds available to them to face being thrown out on their ear by the bank. Donations are needed ASAP to help provide a roof over the children’s head. Please consider donating what you are able into the following bank account that has been set up so as any donations can’t be seized with all other assets of Matt & Janet including the few dollars left in their own bank account.
Account Name: L&S BallardDescription: Kate/Aby/Will/LukeBSB: 016 770Account Number: 439863697ANZ: Bintamilling Arcade, Egerton Street, Narrogin, Western AustraliaSWIFT Code: ANZBAU3M
=====================================
For International money transfers, or payment by credit cards, Jo Nova has set up a special PayPal donation button (in US dollars). This will go to her bank account, with an ID that means it will be recorded as a donation for Matt and Janet. She will transfer it to their account. I have complete trust here. Please give anything you can, no amount is too small.
I’m confident WUWT readers can turn this around.
LINK TO PAYPAL DONATION HERE
You can also use your credit/debit card if you don’t have a PayPal account.
(note this takes you to an intermediate page, which I have to do since wordpress.com won’t allow me to insert the full code).
Also for those who have other websites, or who frequent other forums, bulletin boards, and blogs, I ask your help in getting the word out.
As Michael D. Smith writes in comments below:
Let’s show the Aussie Government what “We The People” can do…
Thanks for your consideration – Anthony
================================================
UPDATE1:
Dale Stiller writes in comments: Thank you all who have sent donations for the Thompson family. You can also help by emailing your disgust to Main Stream Media in Western Australia. Below are a few email addresses.
W A Newspaper contacts:
The West
http:au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/contact/
(does not give a Perth email, only phone no (08) 94823111 )
Email for Sydney Rep Office (The West) cdsilva@wansydney.com.au
Western Australian statewide rural newspaper
W A Radio – Perth National:
ABC News Radio – http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/about/contact.htm
ABC News Rural – wwwabc.net.au/rural/contact/
ABC Midwest & wheatbelt http://www.abc.net.au/contact/contactabc.htm
=====================================================
UPDATE2:
Janet Thompson responds to the issues raised by some saying she said in a public meeting: “there will be no odour”. Given Matt’s and Janet’s extensive involvement in animal agriculture, including feedlots and saleyards, in the States prior to coming to Western Australia, I find it hard to believe that she’d say this. Here is an excerpt of her response:
The myth has been propagated that I stated at our original open public meeting in March 2002 that I made the statement that there would be no odour. In considering any proposition in which animals are to be located in one area, it is ludicrous for anyone to state that there would be no odour. (And, I submit, for anyone to blindly believe such a statement.) I know places that have one horse, and there is odour to manage. Whatever statement that was made that night has been taken out of context, and now many people who were not even in attendance that night are repeating this myth. We spoke about manure smelling when it was wet, and for that reason, found it desirable to be located on the south side of town, when prevailing winds are away from town. We were always open about this, and are gravely disappointed in friends who have not come to us to discuss things, but instead worked actively behind our backs to wreak havoc in our lives, and to attempt to destroy our livelihood, the livelihoods of our employees and contractors, and our life savings.
Here’s the document as PDF. FYI, You’ll see today’s date on it since I made the PDF today from a Word DOC sent to me.
Thompson Response to community members LCCC
========================================================
UPDATE3: HOW TO WRITE A LETTER Reader Mark from Australia writes and provides sample letter ideas for contacting MP’s in Australia and members of the media:
People should reword as they desire and add questions if they have any specialist knowledge or expertise, especially in the feedlot business. They MUST keep it civil. People should send FOUR SEPARATE letters or emails. One to each Minister. That is important. Each MUST be answered so they must put their return addresses on them. I will be sending mine as letters, today.
Be sure to edit this to cover the points you want to include and your own words. Note that simpler hand written letters are likely to carry more weight. It is important to distinguish between EDO Environmental Defenders Office (which is the Non Governmental Organization) and DEC Department of Environment and Conservation (which is the state department of environment and conservation, which is responsible for licensing and the decisions that have been made). In that vein, most of the questions should be about DEC, not EDO (although the funding ones are great to ask).
Premier The Honourable Colin Barnett MEc MLA
Minister for State Development
24th Floor, Governor Stirling Tower,
197 St Georges Terrace,
PERTH Western Australia 6000
Tel: (08) 9222 9888 Fax: (08) 9322 1213
e-Mail: wa-government@dpc.wa.gov.au
The Honourable Brendon Grylls MLA
Minister for Regional Development & Lands; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development
9th Floor, Dumas House,
2 Havelock Street,
WEST PERTH Western Australia 6005
Tel: (08) 9213 7000 Fax: (08) 9213 7001
e-Mail: Minister.Grylls@dpc.wa.gov.au
The Honourable Terry Redman MLA
Minister for Agriculture and Food
Address: 11th Floor, Dumas House, 2 Havelock Street, WEST PERTH WA 6005
Telephone: (08) 9213 6700 Fax: (08) 9213 6701
e-Mail: Minister.Redman@dpc.wa.gov.au
The Honourable Donna Faragher MEd(Hons) BA(Hons) GradDipEd JP MLC
Minister for Environment
10th Floor, Dumas House,
2 Havelock Street,
WEST PERTH WA 6005
Tel: (08) 9213 7250 Fax: (08) 9213 7255
e-Mail: Minister.Faragher@dpc.wa.gov.au
MINISTERIAL REQUEST – NARROGIN BEEF PRODUCERS
Background Information
Matt and Janet Thompson moved from the USA to establish a feedlot business about 4 km outside Narrogin, WA. The business started operation in 2003 and employed about 20 locals at peak. This represents a success for WA and a success for Australia in attracting foreign investment.
Following his publicly expressing doubt as to the effect of the cattle industry on ‘global warming’ in June 2008, the West Australian Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) took an interest in complaints by Narrogin greens against the Thompson’s business.
In 2008, the Thompson’s applied to the West Australian Department of Environment and Conservation for an increase in their licence capacity from 10,000 to 15,000 head. Instead, the DEC cut their licence conditions back to 6,000 head, effectively closing the business by removing its economies of scale. The feedlot remains closed. This closure also played a role in the suicide of one of the employees, Mr Lindley Boseley.
The reasoning given by EDO on use of regulation to destroy this business is not available but seems subjective, indeed, specious (Reference page 2 of EDO newsletter at http://www.edowa.org.au/newsletters/200803Newsletter.pdf).
The EDO newsletter is itself disturbing. It displays the hallmarks of both a ‘captured bureaucracy’ and an issue-motivated NGO. It is positively triumphs the ‘Green cause’.
Questions
1.The Environmental Defenders Office is jointly funded by the West Australian State Government and the Federal Government. Why is WA funding this organisation when it seems to be little more than an arm of ‘The Greens’?
2.On what scientific grounds was the Thompson’s licence capacity reduced from 10,000 head to 6,000 head?
3.Was the viability of the Thompson’s business considered by the EDO in making this determination?
4.What are the scientific or other relevant qualifications of those who made this decision within the EDO?
5.Was this decision subject to review by anyone with skills in determining its impact on the viability of the Thompson’s business?
a.If so, who, and what are their business qualifications and experience?
b.If the EDO decision was not subject to review to determine the impact of the decision on the Thompson’s business by a person with appropriate business qualifications and skills, why not?
c.If the EDO decision included no business impact review from a person qualified to determine its impact on their business, were ‘the rules constantly changed’ in respect of the Thompsons applications?
i.If so, why and on what grounds?
ii.If so what were the qualifications of the person(s) making these ‘rule changes’?
d.Was ‘natural justice’ denied to the Thompsons in their application?
e.What appeals processes were available to the Thompsons?
f.Were they made aware of these in time to make effective use of them?
6.Why are the Thompsons being evicted from their property on 21 September 2010 instead of in December?
7.Are the WA Ministers for State Development, Agriculture, and State Development and Lands aware of the ability of the EDO to close any WA agricultural business on apparently subjective and/or ideological grounds?
8.Are the appropriate WA Ministers (State Development, Agriculture, and State Development and Lands) aware that this case is now attracting very adverse international attention to WA, due to the Thompsons being international investors in WA?
9.Are the appropriate WA Ministers (State Development, Agriculture, and State Development and Lands) aware that this case is causing damage to WA’s ‘brand’ as a safe place for international investment in agriculture?
10.Is there a link between Mr Thompson’s ‘offence’ against a Green ideological belief in ‘global warming’ and the EDO’s patently apparent belief in that same ideology?
11.Was Mr Thomson’s business targeted by the EDO on the basis of this ideology?
12.Did the ‘Green ideology’ so apparent in the EDO’s publications play any role in their determination?
a.If so, why is ‘Green ideology’ permitted to destroy a business and 20 jobs?
b.If not, what was the scientific basis for their decision to deny their application for an increase in license numbers from 10,000 head to 15,000 head?
13.Will the WA Government review the funding and operations of the EDO to prevent further damage to WA’s ‘brand’ as an investment destination?
Yours Sincerely
NAME
ADDRESS
DATE
===============================================
UPDATE4:
Jo Nova reports that WUWT readers have given generously! Over $27,000 was raised in two days from 670 donations. My humble and sincerest thanks to you all for coming to their aid when asked. Jo Nova reports that the fund will go into the Thompson children’s names.
Of course the alarmist community has been silent, there’s not been one word of support that I’m aware of.
See the latest from Jo Nova of how the DEC defines ditches at farms, and you’ll understand the sort of green tyranny the Thompsons face.
People should reword as they desire and add questions if they have any specialist knowledge or expertise, especially in the feedlot business. They MUST keep it civil.
People should send FOUR SEPARATE letters or emails. One to each Minister. That is important.
Each MUST be answered so they must put their return addresses on them. I will be sending mine as letters, today.
Hope this helps.
If you must refer to me, then please just keep it as ‘Reader Mark from Australia’
I researched a bit into this:
From the minutes of the Narrogin Shire Council, where Mrs Thomson sits as a Councillor, May 17, 2007:
http://www.narroginshire.wa.gov.au/council_information/meetings/minutes/2007minutes/17thmay2007minutes/view?searchterm=narrogin%20beef%20producers
“Mr and Mrs Thompson were asked why the feedlot is carrying more than the 6,000 head which is the number identified in the preamble to its current licence. Mr Thompson explained that in August, 2005 the company sought approval from DEC to increase numbers to 10,000 head. He understood that approval would be forthcoming, although it [b]did not appear on the licence[/b] issued at the time. [b]He believed that he had been given verbal approval[/b] by Officers of the Department.” (My emphasis)
I don’t think there’s any legal case to be presented here by the Thompsons.
Mrs Thompson, we’re frank and square here. Who are in the “Thompson Family Foundation” that registered the internet domain of “the Coalition of Agricultural Productivity” that shares your postal address? You seem also to be accepting donations through the Coalition, of which you’re a cofounder, and apparently the sole operator?
From the Minutes:
“If [the feedlot] cannot obtain a licence, the business will not get the necessary accreditation from the organisation that monitors the feedlot industry.”
Do you currently carry such an accreditation? If not, when did that cease?
REPLY: “Who are in the “Thompson Family Foundation” that registered the internet domain of “the Coalition of Agricultural Productivity” that shares your postal address? ”
Ah “Virvelli”, this is typical FUD of anonymous cowards like yourself. Smear other people with their public info from the safe comfort of anonymity yourself. Despicable. But you have proven an important point, that website speaks out about global warming as it relates to agriculture, and the Thompsons had the integrity to put their name on it their words, unlike you. So it’s “ok” for the Environmental Defenders Office of Western Australia to have a website talking about global warming, but not Matt and Janet, and for them to do so, you imply is wrong. Double despicable. They are fighting for their life, doing it in the open, with words, deeds, and education, while you fight from the shadows. How noble.- Anthony
All this discussion about this or that license is an indicator of how big and intrusive the government is. Sometime, and I’m not saying this is the case here, a developer will build a subdivision near a facility or manufacturing plant and then the residents complain and shut down the business. Is this fair? No, it isn’t. With less regulations, the idiot developer or the idiots that bought the houses would have to take responsibility for their actions. I would also point out that even if the man took on more cattle expecting permission to be forthcoming, he could be told to take the number back down to 6,000. Also, it’s the timing of this action that is very suspect. We all know it isn’t about the feedlot, it’s about him not swallowing the global warming BS. I hope the money will allow him to keep up the fight and win. But if not win, at least be a pain in the government’s nether region for a lot longer. Also, the government there shouldn’t be telling people what they can or can’t do with their private property. If they feel they need to cut brush for whatever reason, it is their land and their choice. All this talk about “the commons” is nothing but BS!
I wonder if Virveli is one of those organized complainers?
Lucy Skywalker says:
September 18, 2010 at 2:30 pm
I did send a donation to Oz.
But also, Keith Battye, thanks for that reminder about Zimbabwe.
What I see in places like that is the Chinese coming in, in about 15 years’ time, to rebuild the infrastructure. For their benefit, sure, but because everyone will benefit, and there are no denialists in their way.
——————
Lucy its already happening in a Huge way in Africa and elsewhere,
and the locals do NOT profit, they lose water and land rights employment is not as much as you think its mechanised artificial fertilisers and agri chem. the food and the profit goes to russia china USA and Uae for eg even UK is doing it..
it does NOT help the people of the land, same as IMF loans don’t, all that happens is they have to grow more food to send OS to pay the IMF and their own still starve.
they dont rebuild infrastructure. they get huge incentives like free water dirt cheap land and low wage labour and make Max profit from it. any required infrastructure is provided by the said govts, or not needed as its fly out, on company craft.
try one african area sold the entire fishing rights to a foriegn country, so no one there has the right to free food to supplement their meagre protien intake.
when land bordering a river is blocked off from the local tribesfolk, how do they drink, water their stock, bathe and water their land?
when the artesian bores go dry or saline, the agribiz can leave after milking it for all the profit it can, the people left behind have no options, and no water.
Thanks Anthony for this action.
I have made a donation through Paypal and posted a short notice, with redirection to WUWT and Jo Nova, on the french skeptics blog Skyfall,
http://www.skyfall.fr/?p=579 #883
I intent to make a longer translation tonight and to repost it tomorrow at the same place.
Donation sent. I hope it helps.
Alexander Feht says:
September 18, 2010 at 2:43 pm
John, you are looking at this case from the prejudiced point of view. …
Postponing a solution of this problem by citing various qualifications and stipulations just won’t do. We need to stop this nonsense in its tracks here and now.
====
To be fair Alexander, I was simply asking for additional information.
Thanks Janet for the link to the youtube videos and to Jaymez for the explanation related to waste management practices.
If I’m understanding the situation correctly, the Thompsons are the only party abiding by original contracts for the feedlot development and the Dept. of Environment grandfathered restrictions to the contracts that has caused insolvency.
Its therefore logical to assume the parties representing the water and feed contracts as well as other investors will in turn sue Dept. of Environment for damages under any bankruptcy reorganization. Your tax dollars at work again.
I’ll make a donation later today
Seems like there could be a viable alternative — couple of suggestions:
1. Consider co-oping with the other affected farmers and ranchers and offer an IPO under reorganization. The initial common stock offering would create a resource sufficient to mitigate the legal issues and other public corporations are likely to offer extensive support.
2. In the US, a variety 501c3 alternatives for business including a 501c3 for profit exist. Consider a co-op 501c3 for profit (if its available in Australia) where the feedlot price is locked in for the duration of membership. Inflation is going to be a big issue down the road so producers are likely to see the merit of paying more now to pay less later. The feed contracts could be undercut by members who are also in trouble due to the Grandfathered changes.
3. Consider alternatives like contracts with the UN or wildlife organizations for Rehabilitation of Endangered Species stock to offset the additional 9,000 head. You’d probably end up making more with the offset.
4. Consider contacting the Ag and Industrial Design schools in Australia and offer a competition to elevate an awareness of the situation and to possibly deliver new solutions and better gov. policies.
Wishing the Thompson Family the Best,
John from CA
I hope these donations help – but it seems to me that if the business is run in manner consistent with industry standard practices, approvals can’t be unreasonably withheld when no breach can be demonstrated. Are ALL feedlots in Australia governed by constraints from odor?
This isn’t an Administrative conflict – it needs to be resolved in the Courts. Long passed time to talk to lawyers. Real damages with a cause for action.
Donation sent.
Donated … my first post here at WUWT as well.
Such actions by government are a perversion. In these difficult times, to remove one dynamic family, employer, and upstanding member of the community from the economy, from their basic rights of self-determination, based on technicalities such as this, are how countries signal their collapse, an all-too familiar tale history informs us of, about which we must stand-fast in opposition.
Good luck to this wonderful family – and by extension, to us all who face, or who may face, the ugly presence of an overlarge and involved government such as the founders warned us about in their writings and speeches.
wmar
As for other actions of the Greens it will be a good future business the manufacture of CANDLES.
donated 30 bucks. hope that can help a little
As an Aussie/Welsh Brit.,I’m not overly surprised at the behaviour of Aus. politicians and some bureaucrats. Far too many British ideas from the ‘loony’ left were imported to Aus. with a generally negative effect on business and competitiveness.
I’ve followed the story here and on Jo Nova’s blog. I virtually never support charities, RNLI excepted, but I’m happy to donate A$25.to this unfortunate, hardworking family.
Done, direct to Jo.
I dare say that, with the benefit of hindsight, the Thompson’s invoked the wrath of these activists on that fateful day when Matt handed out dvd’s of GW Swindle. At that moment they were perhaps considered to have crossed the line, from business owners to sworn enemies. They then became targets; their weapons of choice – environmental legislation designed to protect local communities.
When these enviromental laws were passed, it may well have been with the best of intentions; to provide a safety valve to protect communities from exposure to unacceptable levels of pollution and nuisance. Most would agree that these are laudable aims. Yet, following the link to the EDO newsletter is quite an eyeopener to see the way that legislation designed to protect the public is being hijacked by activists to pursue their political goals. It is easy for those with that sort of mind, to come up with the methods to do so. If a law stipulates that if a large number of residents are aggrieved by a nuisance and can close down a business by the sum total of their aggregate complaints, then an activist sees not a safety valve, but a weapon to be wielded. We have seen how they have co-opted the like minded, the zealots and the activists, and organised a carousel of complaints, which accumulating month after month, activate the levers of the state apparatus to achieve their ends. The fact that most residents are not aggrieved and have not complained is forgotten completely.
And the Thompsons are not the only victims either. By hijacking the law in this way, these activists have offended against democracy and the spirit in which these laws were framed – the protection of the vulnerable.
Donation sent.
Note: Just a thought, there are 100 million sheep in Australia. Seems like 10-15k sheep are equal in the feedlot to 6k steers?
Regards,
John from CA
Small donation made, hope it helps in some way. Good Luck!
Actually it’s “there are” not “there is” when the subject is plural.
I tend to agree. The stringing them along as they spent all their money is the more egregious offense, however, not the family trying to start a legitimate business.
Contribution made. Good luck to the Thompsons from Scotland.
Donated. Fight the good fight.
A Little story about the environmental movement here, in Oz,
My Ex-wife wanted to do something diffreent with a career.
Her father was a “Bushy”. He’d moved to the bush as a young man during the depression and learnt to look after himself and his family. Which also meant learning about the environment he was in.
My ex-wife therefore had a connection to the bush.
She’d decided to go back to school to learn land managment.
She subsequently spent the next 6 months drudging through our legaslative and legal system learning environmental law, and did very little land managment eductaion. A coule of field trips in 6 months doesn’t constitute an education.
She’s since given the course away.
My point is… these groups are finding their legal and beuracratic talent through the eductaion system, then fostering that talent in the political and beauracratic system to fight people like the Thompsons.
This is discusting, and very subversive.
Even fighting them, we have years of catching up to do.
The intellectual perpetrators are safe away at at the UN offices in NY
I didn’t have much to donate at the time, but I made a donation anyway. I hope everyone can stave off this nightmare for these good people!
You da man, Anthony!
God bless the Thompson family.
Donation sent.
rgds.
Just for fun I’ve been following this story around the blogosphere. I’m a little surprised. There is definitely a “snoot” factor at some sites. Now I admit, I look at this story through “American eyes” and I have no real concept of how things work in Australia. There is open contempt for Jo Nova and WUWT expressed at some sites. I’m not talking about the usual slums of RealClimate or ClimateProgress, either. These are sites Anthony links to on WUWT! The common complaint is one of a political agenda. Guess what kids…the AGW is now much more of a political debate than it is a scientific one.
The story of the Thompsons illustrates this perfectly.
REPLY: And these other sites stand idly by, criticizing from the sidelines. How gallant of them. – Anthony
Copied my own post on JoNova’s site:
“Greenies are the sand in the gears of modern civilisation – and they intend to be. I have donated $100 to the family and sent all links, including charts (sniff tests versus complaints) from this story to my local member and various parties for urgent perusal and consideration. A “how dare you!?” including all the above was sent to those responsible for this “environmental” fiasco.
Greenies despise the modern world, however use and live comfortably within it with endless complaint. I suggest all contact their local members and those responsible as I did to ensure the message (and our disgust) is duly noted and, hopefully acted upon in a very favourable manner.”
I still have to pay my own child support for a Son I’m not allowed to see – until I can afford the court costs to right the wrongs. This was so easy to give to, I just had to.