Hog producers unfairly targeted by Manitoba government

MANITOBA - The Manitoba government has unfairly singled out hog producers as being responsible for water quality concerns in the province. In imposing a temporary pause on any development in the hog sector, the provincial government has damaged a very sustainable and profitable industry.
calendar icon 13 November 2006
clock icon 3 minute read

“This announcement came as quite a surprise to us yesterday,” says Karl Kynoch, Manitoba Pork Council chairman. “We are gravely concerned that our industry is being unfairly targeted by the government.”

In public consultations with the government and other groups on water quality issues, it was widely accepted that water quality is an issue that is everyone’s responsibility. Now the government has very clearly put the blame on the hog industry.

“Hog producers have become the scapegoat for water quality concerns,” says Kynoch. “This will have a very negative impact not only on our industry and the 15,000 people it employs, but on all other industries dependent on a vibrant agricultural sector and on Manitoba as a whole.”

Manitoba hog producers are committed to the environment and must follow some of the most comprehensive and restrictive environmental laws, rules and regulations that exist. On behalf of all hog farmers, Manitoba Pork Council has invested millions of dollars in third-party, independent research and environmental stewardship initiatives to protect the environment and water.

“Manitoba hog producers are good stewards of the land and are committed to protecting the environment,” says Kynoch. “We are confident that the CEC review will prove that the hog industry in Manitoba is responsible and environmentally sustainable.”

The hog industry contributes $1 billion to the Manitoba economy each year – the largest source of farm cash receipts of any agricultural commodity sold in Manitoba. Manitoba Pork Council represents 1,400 hog producers and works on their behalf to foster the sustainability and prosperity of the pork industry for the good of all hog farmers and all Manitobans.

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