More Manitoba livestock producers may have to file plans with the government about how they intend to spread manure, and find ways to store their manure during winter.
A panel studying livestock expansion in the province since June has returned its recommendations to the government.
It suggests the government classify farms with at least 300 animal units – counting all livestock on the farm – as intensive operations. These would face stricter manure management rules than smaller operations.
Provincial regulations now classify farms with 400 animal units of any one type of livestock as an intensive operation.
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The broader definition is one of about 40 recommendations made by three men who spent more than six months listening to proponents and opponents of livestock expansion, as well as researchers and government officials from across the country.
Ed Tyrchniewicz, the agricultural economist who chaired the panel, said regulations for intensive operations in Manitoba are adequate.
“However, the monitoring and enforcement are not,” he said.
Most of the panel’s recommendations address the need for the province to spend more money and hire more staff to research the impact of large livestock operations on the environment, monitor them and enforce regulations.
The report also calls on the province to regulate manure application by the amount of phosphorus in the manure.
Lack of environmental monitors meant the panel could not find out what, if any, problems have been caused by large livestock operations, said Tyrchniewicz.
“The bottom line is, we’re just not sure.”
Smaller producers need more education about managing manure, he said. The larger the operation, the more likely it has money and staff to handle the issue, he said.
“The business risks of screwing up are great. They’re not going to mess around,” said Tyrchniewicz.
The panel also was surprised it couldn’t find out how many intensive livestock operations are in the province, and where they are located. This information, collected by municipalities, should be provided by the provincial government in one central place, said Tyrchniewicz.
The panel also recommended a two-stage approval process for expansions or new operations.
Municipalities should continue to judge whether proposals comply with land-use bylaws, while the provincial government should have the authority to do a “mini environmental assessment” of a project, said panelist Nick Carter.
Modeled after the process used in Saskatchewan, both governments would have to agree for the project to proceed.
That yielded an enthusiastic response from the president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities.
“We’re not environmental experts,” said Wayne Motheral, referring to rural councilors. “But we know what definitely should be in our areas as far as land-use planning.”
Manitoba agriculture minister Rosann Wowchuk said her government will review the report and use it to help guide future policies. The government has already started adding staff to monitor and enforce rules, and collect and map data.
“It can’t all be done at once,” she said, adding the government will consult with farmers and others about the recommendations.
Wowchuk said she will likely accept the recommendation to phase in manure regulations for farms with 300 animal units.
But the government will not accept a recommendation to require performance bonds for intensive operations. Bonds would ensure the cost of an environmental cleanup would be borne by the producer, not taxpayers.
Manitoba Pork Council vice-chair Danny Kleinsasser said hog farmers need more time to study the implications of the report on family farms before reacting to the expanded definition of an intensive operation.
The council will also study the recommendation to add provincial approval to requirements for new barns and expansions, and the recommendation for an appeal board.
It endorses recommendations for research, monitoring, enforcement and information.
