New farm building code worries Manitoba pork producers

Manitoba hog producers said the farm building code changes being pushed by animal rights groups could put the industry out of business.

The code could include requirements for sprinkler systems, firewalls and alarms in new and renovated barns housing animals. The activist group Canadians for the Ethical Treatment of Food Animals supports stricter industry-wide building codes, saying thousands of animals have died over the years in hog barn fires.

But while the animal rights group said contemplated changes to the code do not go far enough  - Manitoba's hog producers said while they're to make changes, they also have to keep an eye on costs.

Activists argued that thousands of hogs and other animals are at risk under existing building standards. Current building codes fail to take into account the fact that many farms have evolved from small-family owned businesses to larger industrial-type operations.

Meanwhile, Manitoba's Fire Commissioner Chris Jones also has concerns about agricultural buildings, especially industrial-sized barns which can house thousands of animals. "We are taking steps to ensure in the future that new buildings or buildings undergoing major renovations meet a minimum standard of code," he said.

However, the activist group wants any new code to cover all existing farms, forcing owners to retrofit with sprinkler systems, better alarms and firewalls.