Pork Producers Considering Expansion Advised to Engage Professional Consultant

By Bruce Cochrane

Manitoba Pork is advising anyone interested in building new or expanding existing swine barns to engage the services of a professional consultant to help them navigate through the approval process.

In April the Manitoba government approved the "Pig Production Special Pilot Project Evaluation Protocol" a plan under which pork producers in Manitoba can apply for permits to build new or expand existing swine barns.

Under the new protocol producers looking to expand must comply with 11 new conditions over and above existing requirements including new soil phosphorus application limits, requirements that manure be injected or incorporated within 48 hours and that any application be reviewed by Manitoba Pork prior to submission for approval.

Mike Telliet, the manager of sustainable development programs with Manitoba Pork, says, because the approval process is so complex, in addition to consulting with Manitoba Pork producers should seriously consider engaging the services of a professional consultant that can lead them through the process.

Mike Telliet-Manitoba Pork:
As a part of the new protocol we've agreed, or the government has required us to now become a part of the approval process.
One of the very first steps that a farmer must do now in order to build a new barn is they have to submit a letter to Manitoba Pork asking us in effect if they meet the terms of the protocol.

We will evaluate that proposal and determine whether or not it looks like it meets the criteria of the protocol and then we'll let the farmer know and then he takes that letter and then moves forward with his approval process.

The overall group of approval processes, we estimate will take probably a minimum of 6 months and could be as long as 9, 10 months or more.

Anyone interested in building or expanding a hog barn under the protocol is encouraged to contact Manitoba Pork for more information.

Source: Farmscape