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For More Information
Hogwatch
Manitoba
Hogwatch Manitoba is one of the groups sponsoring the
conference. Their web site provides detailed information
on the conference, along with registration information
and forms -- plus good background information of factory
hog farms.
Hogwatch Manitoba is a coalition of social and environmental
groups, farmers, friends of animals, social justice
advocates, trade unionists and scientists concerned
about the industrialization of livestock raising in
Manitoba.
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Manitoba hog production has doubled in the past five years
to just over 6 million hogs produced annually, according to
Laura Rance of the Farmers’ Independent Weekly (www.fiwonline.com)
of Winnipeg, MB. There is a great deal of concern about the
environmental, economic and community impacts of factory hog
operations.
Sustainable and humane alternatives are being promoted. Hoop
houses produce about 10 percent of Manitoba’s hogs,
although most of these alternatively housed hogs still go
to the conventional market. The Winnipeg Humane Society has
begun to help producers market Humane Certified Pork as one
profitable alternative to intensive production.
Into this environment comes the National Conference on Intensive
Livestock Operations, with its far-reaching theme: “Beyond
Factory Farming: Are Intensive Livestock Operations Safe for:
People? Communities? Our Economy? Our Environment? Is there
a better way?”
Keynote speakers will be:
- Rick Dove, a lawyer and commercial fisher from South
Carolina who is active with the Waterkeeper Alliance
- Fred Tait, vice president of the National Farmers Union
(Canada)
- Elizabeth May, executive director of the Sierra Club of
Canada.
Other presenters at the two-day conference will include researchers
in economics, environmental law, anthropology, biology; a
labor leader, a national organic farming leader, hog farmers,
and healthy hog system advocates.
A range of farm, environmental, educational and development
groups is co-sponsoring the event.
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