Keystone Agricultural Producers and the Manitoba Pork Council welcome the passing of Bill 35 and Bill 24 by the Government of Manitoba on the final sitting day of the current legislative session.
Bill 35 amends the Agricultural Producers Organization Funding Act, the legislation that governs KAP’s membership collection, in order to reduce administrative challenges the legislation previously created.
“KAP members often express their frustration with the way our existing system worked, and we thank the Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler for listening to our concerns on this issue,” said KAP general manager James Battershill. “These changes will allow KAP to modernize our membership system, reduce instances of membership over-deductions, and allow for better communication with our members.”
Bill 24 removed the unnecessary and expensive requirement for anaerobic digestors to be constructed with new hog barns.
During the legislative committee hearings on these bills, presenters impressed upon the government the importance of the agricultural sector as an economic engine for the province and the advances the industry has made in recent years with respect to environmental protection, animal welfare, and worker safety.
The Manitoba Pork Council and KAP will continue to commit resources to farmer service programming to enhance the agriculture industry in Manitoba. These include human resources support services, the Manitoba Farm Safety Program, the Canadian Quality Assurance program, the Environmental Farm Plan program, and the good work of the Manitoba Young Farmers committee.
