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Bill
40 - Planning Act Amendment - |
| Hog
Watch Manitoba is a coalition of social and environmental groups, farmers,
friends of animals, social justice advocates, trade unionists and scientists.
We are concerned about the industrialization of livestock raising in Manitoba. Animals are concentrated in confined areas throughout their lives, and the ownership of production is also concentrated, as fewer producers raise more animals. This concentration affects the environment (air, land and water), the health of workers and those living close to industrial barns, the welfare of animals, the food we eat, and the social and economic fabric of rural communities. Please use the navigation buttons at left to examine the issues and learn what you can do to protect your quality of life. |
| Our Vision
What needs to be done ! Hog Watch Manitoba supports alternative housing systems for pigs that meets their fundamental behavioral and social needs which includes these minimum components:
It is our belief that if these types of housing system systems were used, many environmental, human health and animal welfare impacts would be greatly minimized. As well a switch to more animal-friendly systems would help address growing consumer concern over animal welfare and food safety. We suggest that any new expansion of the hog industry utilize these straw-based systems. `We further suggest that liquid manure systems be phased out over the next decade and that in the interim (phase out period) all liquid manure operations immediately: Hog Watch Manitoba supports the family farm and believe that the true family farm is one which the family are engaged in the day to day labor and management of the farm and reside there as well. We support the Nebraska definition of a "family farm corporation" where the majority of the voting stock is held by members of a family and that no corporation, other than family farm corporation or syndicate shall acquire or otherwise obtain an interest in land for the purposes of farming. A necessary component of the goal of promoting family farms is the reinstatement of single desk selling which provides equity, economic bargaining power and transparency to the individual farmer. Hog Watch believes in the protection of all workers in society including agricultural workers, and insists that they should be included within the employment standards code. Workers compensation should also be mandatory for workers in this sector. We feel that there is an opportunity for family farmers to start marketing their hogs as "identity preserved" or "organically produced" as coming from more humane and environmentally regenerative systems. As consumers learn more about the "industrial style" hog barn, many are already expressing a desire to purchase pork products from alternative systems such as the Niman Ranch product in the U.S. and Freedom Food in Great Britain. Hogwatch
Manitoba Inc. 2-70 Albert Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1E7 fffffffff |