The Manitoba Pork Council wants hog farmers in the province to put their views toward a draft sustainable development strategy for the industry.
The council said Tuesday it’s developing the strategy “in an effort to address the impact of outside forces on swine industry development before they become a factor.”
According to a report on the industry-sponsored radio program Farmscape, the draft strategy is outlined in a workbook format and producers are being asked to provide direct input. A redraft and wider consultations are expected to follow, with a final document due out by mid- to late summer.
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Mike Teillet, manager of sustainable development programs for the council, said Tuesday on Farmscape that the goal is to get ahead of the issues that may impact producers.
The strategy, he said, is “very broad” with 11 sections so far covering “everything from odour, barn location, water protection, animal welfare, interprovincial and international trade, public awareness and education (to) a whole number of other areas.”
The goal is to develop a “set of commitments for the industry” so as to get the message to hog producers and the general public alike that “we are indeed changing, that we’re looking forward, that we’re trying to become greener and greener all the time.”
