Talk of a hog barn development near Roblin, Man., has stirred the passions of residents worried about water contamination and odor.
Larry Powell was among those circulating a petition last week. It calls for a halt to hog barn planning until a public hearing is held giving residents details of what’s being proposed.
Powell said he is concerned planning for the project will be done behind closed doors and that residents will have little opportunity for input.
“I enjoy the fresh air and wide open spaces,” he said.
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“This may make the difference of whether I stay here or not.”
The project would be a partnership between Danish and local farmers who want to invest in hog barn development.
Danish farmers interested in the hog venture visited the Roblin area early this month to gauge the opportunities there. They have not committed to a project, but it’s expected they will have a proposal completed later this year.
Powell lives at a farm that his father once owned. He understands why farmers want to diversify in this time of low grain prices but says his greatest concern is that large hog barns may get built somewhere near his home.
Albert Nabe, reeve of the local municipality, said decisions aren’t being made in secrecy. He said the public will be kept informed as the initiative progresses.
Discussions with the Danish farmers are still preliminary, according to Jana Watt, Roblin’s economic development officer.
“They weren’t here to set up a hog barn already. We’re not at that stage yet.”
Watt said size of the hog venture hasn’t been determined. A sow barn and a feed mill are possibilities.
If the project moves ahead, it’s likely that at least one Danish farm family would move to the Roblin area, Watt said.
