Manitoba farmers who want to burn stubble, straw and other crop residue before mid-November will be out of luck unless they receive authorization under the province’s strict crop residue burning program.
Under the program, which this year will have enhanced surveillance and enforcement to ensure compliance, a burning ban was imposed Aug. 1 and will remain in effect until Nov. 15.
“While we know the vast majority of producers who burn crop residue during the fall period abide by the regulations and burn only when authorized, this year we are further bolstering surveillance and enforcement to deter any illegal burning,” said agriculture minister Rosann Wowchuk in a News release
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The province will spend $50,000 to enhance aerial surveillance to facilitate action against producers who burn crop residue without authorization, the minister said. Last year, 17 fines were levied.
Producers wanting to burn crop residue before Nov. 15 must do so in accordance with provincial burn authorizations.
Permits are based on smoke dispersion conditions and specify where in the province and during which hours daytime burning of crop residue will be allowed.
Beginning this year, an enhanced control zone around the city of Winnipeg will require producers in nearby municipalities to obtain a permit on a daily basis.
A new pilot project aimed at improving the precision of smoke-dispersion forecasting will also be used this year, the minister said.
Wowchuk also noted the province has been working with producers to encourage more environmentally and agronomically beneficial alternatives to burning when managing crop residue.
