Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Play Audio Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 1468

Manitoba Pork Council will be looking for several changes as the provincial government moves forward with proposed amendments to 'The Planning Act'.

Bill 40, scheduled to come into effect by January 1, 2005, makes several changes to the planning act, many of which will influence the manner in which municipalities consider livestock development or expansion applications.

Manitoba Pork Council Chair Marcel Hacault says the government has fallen short of several commitments it made to livestock producers.

"The province said it wanted to put together a process that would reduce conflict at the local level, that would provide predictability for the farmers and some consistency right across the province.

In a nutshell, they've failed to provide consistency to land use decisions. The whole process, as amended, will not show any more predictability.

We have municipalities that are required to develop an intensive livestock operations policy, which is good.

Within that policy the municipality will determine areas in which livestock operations can set up or expand but, after everything is said and done, the process put forward by the province still allows the municipality to deny the applicant even in an area they may have thought was permitted. Really, what is different between that and what we have now, I don't know.

The one good thing in this proposed change is that it very clearly states, that the province will be responsible for all the matters of manure handling or storage and that the municipality will be responsible for local land use planning".

Hacault says Manitoba Pork Council will be presenting livestock producers' concerns during hearings on the bill and defending their interests as the process unfolds.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.