Farmscape for April 18, 2011   (Episode 3560)

Manitoba Pork Council reports a generally positive reaction to the release of Manitoba pork producers' vision for the long term sustainability of pork production within the province.

The plan "Embracing a Sustainable Future," the vision for the long term sustainability of pork production in Manitoba was released last month.

The plan outlines 82 committments in a range of areas including green farming, odor and farm location, caring for animals, farm and worker safety, investing in research, education and awareness, food safety and trade relations to help ensure the sustainability pork production in Manitoba.

Manitoba Pork Council sustainable development programs manager Mike Teillet says the plan was developed in large part because the industry was going through significant change and it was felt there was a need to get ahead of the curve on a number of issues that were already affecting the industry.

Clip-Mike Teillet-Manitoba Pork Council:
Generally the reaction has been quite positive.

We've heard some reaction from a whole wide range of sources or organizations and communities ranging from the Winnipeg Humane Society through to the University of Manitoba through to Keystone Agricultural Producers and a number of organizations which have been very positive.

It shows us that we are on the right track.

I also think that it puts the pork industry in a place perhaps in the public mind that this is a progressive industry, it always has been, producers are moving forward on this and on a number of these areas.

It shows the public that we do care about the environment, we do care about our animals and we are always trying to improve how we produce.

Teillet notes Government response so far has been positive although perhaps somewhat muted and he suggests they're still taking it in.

He notes the provincial department of agriculture was consulted during the drafting process so government was involved from the beginning.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.

       * Farmscape is a presentation of Sask Pork and Manitoba Pork Council