As part of its commitment to reduce red tape and support the long-term, sustainable growth of agriculture the Manitoba government has announced it is amending the regulatory requirements for the construction of farm buildings.

George Matheson, the Chair of Manitoba Pork, says moving to a standard more appropriate for farm buildings will reduce construction costs while still maintaining a high level of safety.

George Matheson-Manitoba Pork:

What we really want of course, after having a high safety standard in our barn, to also remain competitive with other areas producing pigs in North America.

We're hoping that it gives producers incentive to take that step and produce more pigs in the province.
Brandon's Maple Leaf plant would be the one that's mostly short of pigs, probably needing another million hogs per year, maybe even closer to one and a half million hogs per year.

Both our plants need volumes, I'm referring to HyLife at Neepawa as well, to remain competitive.

If we can get those numbers increased by a million and a half hogs per year, that would be 500 thousand finishing spaces, it would make them more competitive and therefore more able to make farmers profitable.

Everything helps and we're hoping that this change in building code standards does give producers more incentives to consider building.

Matheson says Agriculture Minister Ralf Eichler seems to be cognizant that pork and beef production are important to the provincial economy and reducing red tape is necessary to move the industries forward.