Canadians block huge pig farms


25 July 2000



Canadians block huge pig farms


THE growth of intensive pig farms in Canada is being stemmed by opponents citing environmental concerns, reports the Financial Times.

Residents in Forty Mile, Alberta, blocked a plan by Taiwan Sugar for a 150,000-head pig unit earlier this month.

They argued manure from the unit would cause odour problems and could contaminate the areas groundwater.

Debate was fuelled by the deaths in May of at least seven people from contaminated water in the Ontario town of Walkerton.

While the cause has not been established, some observers blame manure run-off from nearby farms.

Canadian industrial farms have been criticised for putting small, family-run operations out of business.

  • Financial Times 25/07/2000 page 38

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