January 10, 2007

Canadian producers concerned over halt on hog industry expansion
 

The head of the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association has joined other agricultural and municipal leaders in expressing concern over the Manitoba government's decision to halt the hog industry's expansion.

Last month the Manitoba government placed a temporary freeze on hog barn construction while the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission reviews legislation and the environmental sustainability of the hog industry.

Manitoba Cattle Producers Association President Martin Unrau said the decision would impact investment in the province's livestock industry.

Pointing to the ethanol plants whose usage of corn produces byproducts used by animal producers, Unrau said all sectors of agriculture are tied together.

Everything in the agricultural industry is inter-related and a positive climate is needed to expand the industry or even make people stay, he added.

The industry has worked to ensure its operations are environmentally friendly and there is extreme importance in applying science to any regulations, he said.

Regulators have to make sure that laws are science based and not just driven by emotion, he added.

Unrau noted that while cattle producers are not currently directly affected by current developments, producers are concerned it could eventually be expanded to include the cattle industry.