Uproar over Winnipeg abattoir
CANADA - Two major industrial firms say they'll scrap major expansion plans if a proposed hog slaughterhouse is built near their St. Boniface plants in Winnipeg.And they suggest other companies will take similar action, possibly hurting the city's bottom line more than the $200-million OlyWest consortium's pig plant will boost tax revenue.
One of those manufacturers, Vita Health Products, say the hog plant's environmental risks may prompt not only dropping an expansion possibly worth $1 million or more -- it may also force the high-tech pharmaceutical company to leave St. Boniface Industrial Park's Beghin Avenue completely, affecting about 400 employees.
"It could cause us to evaluate whether we stay in the neighbourhood in the long run," company spokesman Craig Sangster, told the Sun yesterday. "And we're not prepared to invest in an expansion here if we know that plant is coming in."
Vita Health Products and officials from Melet Plastics will announce next week why they're concerned about Quebec-based Olymel's plan to bring the 300,000-sq.-ft. pig facility to a St. Boniface site in about 18 months.
Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona) said the firms have valid worries the hog plant's "smell and image" will damage their business prospects, after the city kicked in $3.4 million in incentives to convince OlyWest to set up shop.
Source: Winnipeg Sun
14 April 2006
2 minute read
