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Audible bird scare devices in B.C.

Last updated on August 21, 2025

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 when farming blueberries, cherries and grapes.

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Noise complaints

The use of audible bird scare devices, such as propane cannons, has resulted in noise complaints from neighbours. Noise is one of the three disturbances specifically mentioned in the Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act (FPPA).

If you have such a complaint there are several options available to you:

BCFIRB reports on propane cannon use

In 2009, the B.C. Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB) issued a report on using and regulating propane cannons in the South Coastal Region. 

This report from BCFIRB is the basis for the current regulation of propane cannons. Key findings of the report are:

  • Noise issues from propane cannons is best addressed at the local level (rather than provincial level)
  • Local governments have existing tools they can use to regulate the use of propane cannons
  • Instead of immediately requesting to ban propane cannons, local governments should employ the tools available to them to resolve the issue in their community

 

In 2011, the Minister of Agriculture directed the BCFIRB to report on options for provincial government, local governments and BCFIRB over time for ensuring effective and appropriate regulation of propane cannon use.

Guidelines for propane cannon use

Propane cannons are one of several options available to protect crops. Their use has been well studied, most recently in regard to farming activities in the Lower Mainland. The same recommendations and actions would be helpful in other areas as well.

Ministry guidelines for bird scare devices

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food has established guidelines for using audible bird scare devices for crop protection. These guidelines:

  • Provide practical steps and practices which, when implemented consistently by all farmers, have shown to minimize disturbances at the farm level
  • Describe practices considered proper and accepted in farming areas
  • Has guidance on using audible bird scare devices on page three

The guidelines are published in farm practice factsheets:

Community-level land use planning is also key to promoting land use compatibility, especially along the urban residential/Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) edges.

Other bird control options

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.

Netting is another option for bird control. The following factsheets will assist in making a decision on netting from a financial standpoint:

Options for regulating audible bird scare devices

Local governments have many options available to manage this issue.

Regulation roadmap

This roadmap shows possibilities in order of increasing regulation. (Each option references the Wildlife Damage Control guidelines published by the Ministry of Agriculture.) Local governments can:

  1. Use the existing noise bylaw: Provide bylaw enforcement using the existing noise bylaw where growers are not following the Wildlife Damage Control guidelines published by the Ministry of Agriculture
  2. Update the noise bylaw: Incorporate the Wildlife Damage Control guidelines into their noise bylaw and provide bylaw enforcement where growers are not following the Wildlife Damage Control guidelines
  3. Adopt a "Farm Bylaw" 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

Referring blueberry farm noise complaints: In the Lower Fraser Valley, local governments may continue referring noise complainants about blueberry farms to the British Columbia Blueberry Council (BCBC), no matter which level of regulation they use.

Enforcing objective measures

Local government bylaw enforcement can readily enforce elements of the ministry’s 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 (FPPA).

Enforcing subjective measures

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.

Examples of subjective criteria includes:

The BCFIRB farm practice complaint process can investigate and determine whether these practices are considered ‘normal farm practice’ under the FPPA.

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.

Other recommendations for reducing cannon conflicts

Use planning tools to reduce conflict

The 2009 and 2011 BCFIRB reports both recommend that local governments use planning initiatives tools to reduce conflict between farm and nearby urban land areas.

One example is the Edge Planning process, which helps improve land use compatibility along the boundary between agricultural and residential zones

Involve an Agricultural Advisory Committee

Existing issues can be effectively addressed locally by an Agricultural Advisory Committee, which should include broad representation from the local agricultural industry.

Issues can be referred to them for their study and recommendations.

Avoid bans until trying all other options

Local governments are recommended to 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.

This includes each of the recommendations pertaining to local governments in BCFIRB's 2009 report.

Contact information

Regional Agri-teams are available across the province to help provide direct assistance on matters concerning agricultural land.

Phone:
604-556-3001
1-888-221-7141

Email:
AgriServiceBC@gov.bc.ca