FARMERS SAY POT PLANTS A GROWING PROBLEM

(Montreal)-(CP) -- Quebec farmers have joined an MP in calling for a
stronger police response to marijuana plants grown secretly on their
land. Laurent Pellerin, head of the Quebec farmers' union, said
Wednesday that authorities are not doing enough to stop armed pot
growers taking over secluded sections of their corn fields.

The problem was raised this week by Bloc Quebecois MP Yvan Loubier,
who represents the rural riding of St-Hyacinthe.

Loubier said he and his family are under 24-hour RCMP protection after
receiving death threats. He had publicly denouncing the illegal pot
growers.

Pellerin said police aren't able to keep up with the pot
production.

"They have to increase their flying hours over those fields in
helicopters and send somebody in to cut the plants," Pellerin said.

Serge Menard, Quebec's public security minister, acknowledged a rise
in illegal cultivation. But he added that a three-year provincial
police operation has made progress in the battle against it.

Menard said 350 people have been arrested and charged with various
drug-related charges this year. Police have also seized 400,000 plants.

Bernard Brodeur, another Quebec politician, said he has found pot
plants on his lands. Brodeur, a member of the Quebec legislature, says
Quebec should ask Ottawa to send the army in to help snuff out the
problem.

But Federal Justice Minister Anne McLellan gave no indication
Wednesday that she is ready for that kind of measure.

"We don't need new tactics in this case," she said.

McLellan said the RCMP has worked closely with the provincial province
to fight the problem.

"Does that mean that we must do more? Of course. We must constantly be
working to identify the organized criminal activity, investigate it
and shut it down," McLellan said.

McLellan, in Montreal to announce grants to community crime-prevention
programs, said the death threats against Loubier are
unacceptable.

She would not say if there would be more money given to police forces.
She said last year's federal budget provided $115 million in new money
for the upgrading of the RCMP's computerized information system.