The Manitoba government’s moratorium on new hog barn proposals was the only issue that drew spontaneous applause at the Association of Manitoba Municipalities convention.
But the applause wasn’t in support of the ban. It followed a rural reeve’s denunciation of the policy.
“Why has there been no consultation with municipalities,” demanded Don Pfimmer of the RM of Roland.
Conservation minister Stan Struthers, who is responsible for the hog barn ban, defended the policy.
“We believe we have a mandate to move ahead making good, strong decisions in protecting our water,” said Struthers, as he and most of the rest of the provincial cabinet, including premier Gary Doer, answered questions.
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Struthers described the government’s recent actions as part of a “broad, comprehensive approach,” and denied that it was unfair.
“We do not want to single out one particular industry,” Struthers.
But the hog industry is the only one to face a moratorium on new applications for environmental approval.
The provincial government has introduced new water protection regulations that will place more stringent requirements on many industries, including hogs, but no other industry is facing a blanket ban on new projects.
The moratorium, which the province calls a “pause,” will last until the arms-length Clean Environment Commission studies the impact of the industry on provincial water supplies. The commission has given no indication of how long it will take to study the issue and the provincial government has not required a deadline, so the hog industry has no idea when the ban will be lifted.
Keystone Agricultural Producers, Manitoba’s general farm organization, said the province is setting a dangerous precedent by targeting one industry even though there is no evidence that it is a significant polluter of the province’s water.
The Manitoba Pork Council has also denounced the ban, describing it as a cynical act of election year politics.
Pfimmer wasn’t impressed by Struthers’ defence of the pig barn ban.
“He said they have had consultations. They have had nothing,” said Pfimmer, whose RM contains many hog barns.
“I did not get an answer to my question. He skirted it entirely.”
