November 10, 2006

Canada's Manitoba province places temporary ban on new hog barns

The Canadian province of Manitoba has placed a temporary ban on new or expanded hog barns while an independent review of the province's hog industry and water protection plan is conducted, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers announced Nov 8.

Manitoba's water protection plan will be referred to the Clean Environment Commission (CEC) for a full, independent and public review, said the government. The water protection plan includes regulations to limit the use and application of manure in the province, with fertiliser buffer zones around water to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen levels.

"We believe long-term action is necessary to reverse long-term damage to our waterways," said Struthers in a release. "However, any plan must maintain public confidence and credibility, and that is why the plan is being referred to the independent CEC to ensure that what we're doing is sustainable over the long term," he added.

"Until the CEC has completed its review, a temporary pause will be in place on new or expanded barns. We need to know from the CEC and Manitobans themselves that what we're proposing adequately addresses the sustainability of the industry over the long term," said Struthers.

Hog barns that use emerging technology, such as anaerobic digesters for manure, will be exempted from the pause. There was no timeline given for the length of the review.