The Manitoba government should look at the big picture when approving projects such as the Maple Leaf hog plant at Brandon, according to the Manitoba Environmental Council.
The processing plant, scheduled to open next July, is expected to become a cornerstone for expansion of Manitoba’s hog industry. But the environmental council wonders whether the province can cope with the amount of hog production needed for the $112 million plant.
The council thinks that issue should be examined under Manitoba’s new Sustainable Development Act. All government departments must conform to the principles of that legislation.
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“How do we make sure that what we plan and set up isn’t going to cause major problems in the future?” asked environmental council chair Bill Turnock. “That’s basically what sustainable development is all about.”
The 14-member council has made its views known to Manitoba environment minister Jim McCrae. The watchdog group advises the minister on environmental issues.
McCrae could not be reached for comment.
Turnock, a retired research scientist for Agriculture Canada, thinks the issue of hog expansion offers an ideal chance for the province to use its Sustainable Development Act. He also believes the public should be included in efforts to examine that issue.
“If the Maple Leaf plant is larger than the supply of hogs, there’s strong pressure to have more supply,” Turnock said. “Do we have the base for that?”
A spokesperson for Maple Leaf Meats said the company researched a wide range of topics before deciding to locate its plant at Brandon. That included the labor force, hog supply and exporting potential.
The company also analyzed the province’s hog industry and its potential for growth, said Cynthia Zamaria. Feed and water supplies were considered along with the land base.
The province has a strong agricultural base and knowledge of the hog industry, Zamaria said. Maple Leaf was drawn to Brandon by its confidence in Manitoba’s hog industry, she said.
The processing plant will be able to kill 45,000 hogs per week with one shift, an amount that may double after the first year of operation.
About three million hogs will be produced in Manitoba this year and a recent study by Manitoba Pork suggests production could double in five years.
Ted Muir wonders what it will take to dispel doubts about Manitoba’s ability to sustain an expanding hog industry. As manager of industry services for Manitoba Pork, he said he is confident the environment and the industry have enough safeguards.
“We’ve got checks and balances in place to make sure we do things right in this province,” Muir said. “We’ve been very, very proactive in embarking on responsible legislation.
“Where you have seen unbridled growth in many other jurisdictions around the world, it has been in the absence of regulations and guidelines. We’re not about to make that mistake here.”
There’s no shortage of feed grains produced in Manitoba, and Muir said the land base could accommodate a tripling of hog production in the province.
The province brought in regulations this year dealing with livestock manure. The legislation controls when manure can be applied on fields and in what quantities. It also insists that manure be applied as a fertilizer rather than disposed of as a waste.
“We feel this regulation is a really good balance,” said Dennis Brown, a director of environmental operations for Manitoba Environment.
