Quebec mulls moratorium on huge hog farms
Date: 02-May-02
Country: CANADA
"We have to make sure that the development of the agricultural industry has to be more respectful of the environment," Environment Minister Andre Boisclair told reporters in Quebec City, adding the government would make an announcement on the issue over the next few days.
"It is advisable to have new specific rules for the pork industry," he said.
Asked if the government was looking at imposing a moratorium on the opening of new hog farms in the province, Boisclair said: "We will see in due time."
The province is a major pork producer with large exports to the United States and Japan.
The government has supported the opening of large hog operations over the past few years to help boost exports, but that has fueled the anger of nearby residents who complain of strong odors from the large-scale operations which often contain thousands of animals.
Environmental groups also warn that large hog operations pose a serious water pollution threat because of runofff from the huge quantities of manure created by the farms.
