On January 23, Ritchot council addressed an application made by Paul Loeppky of Red Plain Farms Ltd. Loeppky’s request was to expand his existing hog livestock operation, located approximately two miles south of Niverville, from the 2,500 animals he currently raises to 5,000 animals.  A Manitoba Municipal Relations (MMR) representative provided council with a technical review on the applicant’s proposal. The representative was able to give council all assuranceshat the proposal meets with the province’s stringent laws relating to agricultural livestock operations. He indicated that MMR sent out notices of the proposal through various media sources and direct mail. No comments or objections were received.

“We have come with a team from the province who have contributed to the [technical review] report,” the representative told council. “The proponent has given us what we asked for so that we can produce a genuine report… Should council say yes to the proposal, the proponent then has to come back to the province for licensing, for permits, and for other things. So there are other safeguards in play that the proponent would have to meet… We’re actually very highly regulated. In fact, I’ve heard that Manitoba is one of the highest regulated jurisdictions in North America when it comes to livestock operation.”

Loeppky, who lives just north of the farm, told council that the farm began operations in his name in 2003 but the land has been in his family for three generations. His hope is to add another barn to the property, to supplement the barn that exists there now. Bad smells, he says, is part of the nature of a hog operation, but he uses current farming practices that help mitigate the smell as much as possible.

Two residents from neighbouring farms came forward to offer their support for Loeppky’s proposal. No objections were heard or received.  

Councillor Claydon shared some concerns about setting a precedent for more hog barns in the area due to the smells they produce. As council debated, they concurred that residents living in an agricultural area should expect farm smells occasionally, just as some Winnipeg residents can expect smells from the Brady landfill or urban factories.

Council approved the proposal by acclamation with the understanding that the MMR is there for support should any details have been missed.