Eco-Journal, v.17.3 May/June 2007Eco-Journal, v.17.3 May/June 2007
Socially responsible farming creates a range of benefits for farm communities. Photo by Cindy Murray
By Glen Koroluk, Beyond Factory Farming Coalition
The Clean Environment Commission (CEC) recently held public consultations as part of a review of the sustainability of the hog industry in Manitoba. In total, seventeen community meetings were held with close to two hundred presentations. The CEC panel will issue a number of technical reports by the end of June for further comment from the public, and then issue its final report to the Minister of Conservation by the end of the year.
The Beyond Factory Farming Coalition (BFFC) has been involved throughout the review process, and is preparing a report with recommendations for the CEC. BFFC is calling for a transition to sustainable farming and socially responsible agriculture as an alternative to large-scale, high-volume hog operations that are unsustainable and polluting. As a pollution prevention strategy, making a transition to sustainable agriculture is by far the most effective way to build community and improve the environment. Technological fixes will for the most part create other unforeseen problems.
Socially responsible meat production is an integrated approach to raising animals that respects the environment, treats animals humanely, supports local communities, and is economically viable for farmers. In areas where small-scale organic and socially responsible farms are common, there is a higher degree of social and cultural development, as well as more viable local businesses. Socially responsible farming includes: certified organic farming; farms under holistic management, on-farm bio-diversity that integrates crops and animals; no hormone implants or injections or use of non-therapeutic antibiotics; manure production not exceeding what can be utilized by crops grown on the land; family or co-operatively owned and operated farms; and animals raised in an environment where they are able to behave naturally.
Several proposed solutions
BFFC´s report to the CEC will offer several proposed solutions to help guide Manitoba towards sustainable agriculture and vibrant communities. To begin with, however, it should be noted that citizens must have full access to data about the Manitoba hog industry in order to make informed decisions. Currently, complete information about the industry has not been compiled, analyzed and made available to the general public. BFFC will recommend that more thorough information gathering takes place before the final report.
Public participation will be key to any responsible regulation of the hog industry. To that end, BFFC also recommends that the Planning Act must be amended to enhance community decision making and public participation. This would include a citizen´s right to go to court on an infraction of the Planning Act. It could also include allowing local decision-makers to place a higher level of environmental protection on the conditions of project approval. At the same time, conflict of interest legislation for municipally elected officials must be vastly improved.
Subsidies that support unsustainable practices must be withdrawn, and replaced with incentives and best management practices that prevent pollution. A major concern has always been the large amounts of manure produced by large-scale hog operations, and how to dispose of it. Careless waste management can result in pollution of groundwater and nearby waterways—the high phosphorus content of manure is damaging to aquatic ecosystems. BFFC will recommend that phosphorus must be regulated based on residual soil nutrient levels and that application rates must not exceed the average requirements of the crop grown. Application of manure to fields should be subject to approved manure management plans and soil testing must be done by an independent, accredited third party.
Regulated under the Environment Act
As well, we must acknowledge the peer-reviewed research that intensive livestock operations (ILOs) impact human health. ILOs must be regulated under the Environment Act. This will ensure that the public has the opportunity to get involved in environmental assessments and decision making.
The more specific impacts on human and animal health must also be considered. Sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics in feed must be phased out, and the resources and infrastructure must be developed to respond to major disease outbreaks and epidemics. Siting of barns must be based on community health impact studies and regulated through the Public Health Act. Hog barn workers must be included within the Employment Standards Code.
The odours and emissions associated with hog production (hydrogen sulfide, ammonia from manure), must also be regulated under the Environment Act. Citizens must be afforded their rights to enjoyment of property. This means citizens must be given back their right to sue factory farms for nuisance under our common law.
Finally, sufficient public and private resources (both human and financial) must be allocated within government to allow for increased monitoring, data collection, enforcement, research and program review. The province must develop a comprehensive database that identifies the locations of all intensive livestock operations in Manitoba, their type and capacity of storage facilities, and spread fields used in their manure management plans. This database can also include soil test nutrient results and well water quality test results in proximity to ILOs.
Detailed public soil surveys, and comprehensive hydrological and ground water supply data must also be completed. Surface water quality sampling must be more frequent. As the database is developed, it must be made available to the public and updated at regular intervals. Public participation in the review process and ongoing consultations about the hog industry is essential.
For more information about the CEC review, go to http://www.cecmanitoba.ca/index.cfm?pageID=89#
Visit the BFFC at http://www.beyondfactoryfarming.org or call the Beyond Factory Farming Coalition at (204) 943-3945.