LACOMBE, Alta. (Staff) – On some high-volume livestock operations, the owners claim manure smells like money. For some of the neighbors, it’s a smelly nuisance.
Conflicts between livestock operations and their neighbors can become emotional issues that end up being fought before development appeal boards.
Problems often erupt because the farm was planned poorly or local regulations were weak or poorly enforced, said Brian West, a manure specialist based in Red Deer.
Because Alberta’s livestock industry is expanding rapidly, developers must keep environmental principles in mind to avoid future conflicts.
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Planning principles needed
“There is enormous growth potential in the livestock industry and we really need to base that development on some sound planning principles,” said West.
When a new provincial environmental law was written a couple years ago, agricultural groups lobbied to be exempted. Responsibility for approving livestock developments was turned over to local governments.
West said permits to build intensive livestock farms in Alberta have shortcomings because the rules are inconsistent throughout the province. Each municipality has its own set of bylaws and there is no lead agency to move the process along, said West.
Types of conflicts
Rich Smith, an Alberta Agriculture engineer, divided the conflicts into four types.
For example, a hog operation built in a certain location is a planning issue. If the manure from that operation gets into a water system, it’s an environmental issue. If the water system is the water supply for some people downstream, it’s a health issue. If it smells, it’s a nuisance, Smith said.
He said some municipalities are nervous about taking responsibility and others feel some of the load should be handled by the province. They don’t always have the expertise on modern environmental issues and intensive livestock operations, he said.
West said farmers and municipalities should weigh several factors when looking at possible sites for large livestock operations. They should consider land type, water table, slopes, shelters, water availability and how and where wastes will be disposed.
