national farmers union

ROSSENDALE, Mb -NFU Vice President Fred Tait stated that he was astounded the Premier of Manitoba would apply a double standard of environmental protection in Manitoba.

Tait made this comment after reviewing a news release issued from the Premier's office announcing that the province would offer financial assistance to Smithfield Foods to build a hog packing plant in Winnipeg. Smithfield's proposed plant will slaughter 4.5 million hogs per year. Tait noted that Premier Doer offered the people of Winnipeg the assurance that "all aspects of the plant expansion will be tied to public hearings to be conducted in the coming months by the Clean Environment Commission."

In addressing the concern of rural Manitoba faced with a total hog population in excess of ten million, the Premier offered the following: "We have comprehensive strategy to protect our natural resources, particularly in areas where hogs and other livestock are raised." Tait stated that it is clear from these comments that the government does not plan an environmental impact study on the hog barns that will be built in rural Manitoba.

Tait stated: "This double standard is unacceptable. "If a plant that will slaughter 4.5 million hogs a year warrants a Clean Environment Commission hearing, then surely rural Manitoba must have Clean Environment Commission hearings to determine the impact of increasing the province's hog population to 10 million head."

In his closing comments, Tait noted that prior to leaving for the First Ministers' Conference, the Premier had stated that he would seek agreement from the other premiers to end provincial subsidies used to attract industry to any province. Tait responded that not all subsidies to attract industry are financial. The lack of strong environmental standards is often used as a subsidy and enticement to industry.

For More Information:

• Fred Tait, NFU Vice-President: (204) 252-2773
  
• Darrin Qualman, Executive Secretary: (306) 652-9465