Hog producers disappointed by passage Bill 17

Manitoba hog producers and their supporters are expressing disappointment following the passage of a controversial bill that will halt swine industry development in Canadian province Manitoba.

Bill 17, the Environment Amendment Act passed third reading yesterday in the Manitoba legislature. The bill was passed by a margin of 36 for, 19 against.

Regional moratorium
The bill establishes regional moratoriums on hog barn expansion in South-eastern Manitoba, the Red River Valley Special Management Area, which includes the Capital Region and the Interlake.

Manitoba Conservative agriculture critic Ralph Eichler says this sends a very clear message that the NDP government is anti-farm and anti-rural Manitoba.

Before Bill 17 received its final reading yesterday at the legislature, more than 100 pig producers gathered outside to blast the NDP government for what they said is an end to their livelihoods.

Scapegoat
"I just can't believe that they will shut an industry down," said Garry Tolton, a farmer in the Newdale area. "We're going to be the scapegoat to make people feel good about the environment, but it won't do any good for the environment."

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